DeSoto County, Mississippi tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1962). Most recent: May 18, 2025, EF1. 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 DeSoto County

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The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJanuary5 of 31
StrongestF3Apr 24, 1970
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries139whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 5Feb: 3Mar: 4Apr: 5May: 3Jun: 4Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 4Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January is the peak month, with 5 of 31 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 2: 2: 03 AM: 1: 3: 16 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 3: 1: 13 PM: 1: 2: 66 PM: 2: 1: 09 PM: 2: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 11970: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 22010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 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
9
EF1
9
EF2
12
EF3
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

EF2, February 5, 2008

3 deaths, 13 injuries Strongest

F3, April 24, 1970

12.3 mile path Longest path

34.6 miles, F2

April 28, 1962, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

April 28, 1962
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 18, 2025EF10.42 mi50 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF222.73 mi1,200 yd00
Jan 3, 2023EF01.36 mi100 yd00
Jan 11, 2020EF28.21 mi300 yd00
Jan 11, 2020EF111.27 mi200 yd00
May 2, 2010EF01.08 mi100 yd00
Jul 30, 2009EF25.82 mi440 yd00
Jun 12, 2009EF22.88 mi75 yd01
Feb 5, 2008EF210.24 mi440 yd313
Feb 5, 2008EF02.64 mi100 yd00
Mar 22, 2005F10.1 mi50 yd01
Mar 22, 2005F01 mi75 yd00
Nov 24, 2001F26 mi300 yd09
Jan 22, 1999F02 min/a00
Jun 9, 1994F02 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 1994F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 1994F03 mi50 yd00
Aug 5, 1993F02 mi100 yd00
Jan 19, 1988F29.5 mi70 yd01
Mar 12, 1986F11 mi30 yd00
Nov 27, 1973F24.1 mi10 yd150
Nov 27, 1973F18.4 mi10 yd015
Nov 27, 1973F14.5 mi10 yd010
Apr 24, 1970F312.3 mi50 yd018
Jun 24, 1969F10.1 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.