Benton County, Missouri tornadoes

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29confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: May 19, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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.

The record

At a glance

Total291950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay15 of 29
StrongestF3Apr 16, 1960
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries9whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 5May: 15Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 15 of 29 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 012 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 5: 1: 36 PM: 7: 0: 29 PM: 1: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 5: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 319501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
10
EF2
2
EF3
4

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 16, 1960

27 mile path Longest path

27 miles, F3

April 16, 1960, whole path Widest

700 yards, F3

March 15, 1982
Every tornado

All 29 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 19, 2025EF14.4 mi300 yd00
May 19, 2025EF14.32 mi500 yd00
May 19, 2025EF11.3 mi500 yd00
Dec 14, 2024EF01.69 mi75 yd00
Jul 1, 2015EF13.25 mi600 yd00
Jan 7, 2008EF00.17 mi25 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F03 mi20 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F113 mi150 yd00
May 6, 2003F00.2 mi25 yd00
May 6, 2003F00.2 mi25 yd00
May 4, 1999F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 8, 1995F01 mi50 yd00
May 17, 1995F00.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 1994F17 mi100 yd00
Nov 27, 1990F10.5 mi23 yd00
May 25, 1990F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 16, 1990F00.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 2, 1986F110 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1982F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1982F10.3 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1982F00.3 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1982F00.3 mi50 yd00
Mar 15, 1982F314 mi700 yd01
May 12, 1980F19.1 mi100 yd00
Apr 20, 1973F310.1 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 17, 20261 NE WhitakervilleNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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 12, 2026.