Van Buren County, Michigan tornadoes

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19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: June 27, 2010, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Van Buren County

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The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 19
StrongestF3Apr 3, 1956
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries38whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 1May: 9Jun: 4Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 1: 1: 53 PM: 2: 3: 26 PM: 1: 0: 19 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 41990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
4
EF1
5
EF2
8
EF3
2

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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, April 3, 1956

60.6 mile path Longest path

60.6 miles, F3

April 3, 1956, whole path Widest

400 yards, F2

September 29, 1986
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 27, 2010EF00.7 mi50 yd00
Sep 13, 2008EF00.2 mi50 yd00
Sep 13, 2008EF11.94 mi100 yd00
May 12, 2000F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1989F110.3 mi60 yd00
May 30, 1989F18 mi60 yd00
May 30, 1989F210.2 mi100 yd00
May 30, 1989F21 mi50 yd00
Jul 15, 1988F00.1 mi20 yd00
Sep 29, 1986F23.8 mi400 yd01
May 13, 1980F321 mi300 yd015
Jun 7, 1979F22 mi60 yd01
Jun 28, 1977F113.8 mi60 yd00
Mar 4, 1976F244.8 mi100 yd09
May 23, 1966F10.3 mi33 yd00
Jun 26, 1956F20.1 mi17 yd00
May 9, 1956F21 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1956F360.6 mi200 yd012
May 31, 1954F29.3 mi10 yd00
Nearby

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 13, 2026.