Cherokee County, Oklahoma tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: June 18, 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Cherokee County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay16 of 49
StrongestF3Jun 1, 1999
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries21whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 2Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 11May: 16Jun: 8Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 4Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 16 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 2: 2: 13 AM: 0: 4: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 43 PM: 1: 5: 36 PM: 7: 0: 39 PM: 4: 7: 312 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

80 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 4: 0: 0: 0: 32000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 02010: 2: 4: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 1: 22020: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 819501960197019801990200020102020

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
9
EF1
28
EF2
7
EF3
4
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F3, June 1, 1999

2 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

F3, June 1, 1999

2 mile path Longest path

47 miles, EF2

November 30, 2018, whole path Widest

2,700 yards, EF2

May 20, 2019
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 18, 2025EF17.7 mi1,000 yd00
Jun 17, 2025EF16.9 mi600 yd00
Jun 17, 2025EF11.8 mi700 yd00
Jun 7, 2025EF19.3 mi2,000 yd00
Jun 6, 2025EF14.8 mi300 yd00
May 19, 2025EF110.4 mi1,300 yd00
May 19, 2025EF112.3 mi1,100 yd00
May 19, 2025EF12.6 mi600 yd00
Nov 4, 2024EF232.9 mi1,200 yd00
Apr 28, 2024EF14.3 mi350 yd00
May 2, 2022EFU0.1 mi75 yd00
Jan 10, 2020EF15.8 mi250 yd00
Oct 20, 2019EF12.9 mi600 yd00
May 20, 2019EF221 mi2,700 yd01
Nov 30, 2018EF247 mi1,100 yd05
May 18, 2017EF15.8 mi800 yd00
May 18, 2017EF116.6 mi650 yd00
Apr 26, 2016EF17.2 mi700 yd00
Jul 9, 2015EF15.5 mi220 yd00
Apr 15, 2012EF114.5 mi500 yd00
Aug 10, 2011EF25 mi400 yd12
May 22, 2011EF00.1 mi50 yd00
May 22, 2011EF13 mi250 yd00
Apr 22, 2011EF11 mi200 yd00
May 13, 2010EF14 mi200 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 14, 20265 S TahlequahNot 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 13, 2026.