Ottawa County, Michigan tornadoes

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24 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 15, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune6 of 24
StrongestF5Apr 3, 1956
Deaths22whole paths, see note
Injuries436whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Ottawa County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 3May: 4Jun: 6Jul: 2Aug: 4Sep: 2Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 6 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 1: 33 PM: 3: 4: 36 PM: 0: 1: 19 PM: 0: 2: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 31980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
6
EF2
5
EF4
1
EF5
1
Unknown
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F5, April 3, 1956

17 deaths, 292 injuries Strongest

F5, April 3, 1956

58.8 mile path Longest path

58.8 miles, F5

April 3, 1956, whole path Widest

2,000 yards, F2

September 22, 1961

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 15, 2025EF03.5 mi50 yd00
Oct 13, 2024EFU0.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 26, 2021EF02.42 mi25 yd00
Aug 20, 2016EF14.08 mi100 yd00
Jun 21, 2010EF02.42 mi200 yd00
May 21, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 17, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1991F10.4 mi30 yd00
Jul 9, 1987F07.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 9, 1979F00.3 mi67 yd00
Aug 9, 1979F13 mi220 yd00
Aug 9, 1979F10.3 mi100 yd00
May 13, 1978F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 15, 1976F123.3 mi67 yd00
Mar 12, 1976F112 mi83 yd01
Jun 17, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 12, 1966F22 mi33 yd00
Sep 4, 1965F24.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 1965F420.6 mi300 yd5142
Sep 22, 1961F22.7 mi2,000 yd01
Jun 22, 1957F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1956F558.8 mi400 yd17292
Mar 6, 1956F28 mi100 yd00

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.