New Madrid County, Missouri tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for New Madrid County...

38confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: March 15, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 New Madrid County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total381950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMarch7 of 38
StrongestF4Apr 22, 1981
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries68whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 2Feb: 5Mar: 7Apr: 7May: 5Jun: 2Jul: 3Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 5Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 7 of 38 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 2: 13 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 5: 3: 63 PM: 1: 2: 66 PM: 2: 0: 29 PM: 0: 3: 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: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 22000: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 4: 3: 02020: 2: 0: 1: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
12
EF2
9
EF3
3
EF4
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

F2, November 24, 1973

2 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F4, April 22, 1981

63 mile path Longest path

89.4 miles, F2

March 20, 1955, whole path Widest

500 yards, F2

May 15, 1986
Every tornado

All 38 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 15, 2025EF14.51 mi50 yd00
May 26, 2024EF319.57 mi300 yd00
Mar 18, 2022EF00.71 mi50 yd00
May 3, 2020EF15.84 mi150 yd00
Mar 2, 2020EF03.06 mi50 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF12.55 mi125 yd00
Feb 24, 2018EF20.95 mi150 yd02
Feb 24, 2018EF241.93 mi150 yd15
Apr 30, 2017EF24.04 mi150 yd00
Mar 9, 2017EF29.66 mi250 yd00
Mar 9, 2017EF11.14 mi150 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF115.21 mi200 yd00
Jun 7, 2014EF118.19 mi200 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF12.99 mi50 yd00
Apr 5, 2012EF03.93 mi100 yd00
Apr 30, 2006F00.2 mi50 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F11 mi75 yd02
Nov 15, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F00.1 mi70 yd00
Sep 2, 2001F01.5 mi30 yd00
May 26, 2000F00.5 mi40 yd00
Jan 21, 1999F11.7 min/a00
Jan 21, 1999F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jul 16, 1997F00.2 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20263 W GideonNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for New Madrid County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.