Pontotoc County, Oklahoma tornadoes

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71confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 24, 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 Pontotoc County

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The record

At a glance

Total711950 to 2025
Per year0.9average since 1950
Peak monthMay26 of 71
StrongestF4May 9, 1959
Deaths9whole paths, see note
Injuries128whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

260 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 10Apr: 16May: 26Jun: 3Jul: 3Aug: 0Sep: 2Oct: 6Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 26 of 71 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 5: 1: 03 AM: 2: 0: 46 AM: 1: 1: 19 AM: 1: 1: 012 PM: 1: 4: 13 PM: 4: 8: 66 PM: 9: 5: 49 PM: 8: 1: 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

70 1950: 1: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 1: 1: 11960: 3: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01970: 4: 3: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 5: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 4: 2: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 719501960197019801990200020102020

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
20
EF1
29
EF2
14
EF3
7
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

F4, May 9, 1959

7 deaths, 12 injuries Strongest

F4, May 9, 1959

6.2 mile path Longest path

73 miles, F3

February 17, 1961, whole path Widest

1,500 yards, EF3

May 9, 2016
Every tornado

All 71 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2025EF12.61 mi50 yd00
Apr 19, 2025EF10.4 mi30 yd00
Apr 19, 2025EF14.3 mi100 yd01
Mar 4, 2025EF14.8 mi150 yd00
Mar 4, 2025EF11 mi40 yd00
Mar 4, 2025EF13.7 mi200 yd01
Mar 4, 2025EF08.8 mi100 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF18.4 mi500 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF39.91 mi440 yd130
Apr 27, 2024EF11.5 mi30 yd00
Oct 10, 2021EF17.31 mi300 yd00
Oct 20, 2019EF10.25 mi150 yd00
Jun 24, 2018EF00.2 mi10 yd00
May 3, 2018EF10.25 mi25 yd00
May 18, 2017EF00.6 mi75 yd00
Apr 25, 2017EF00.7 mi50 yd00
Mar 26, 2017EF00.3 mi30 yd00
Mar 26, 2017EF04 mi50 yd00
May 9, 2016EF316.6 mi1,500 yd00
Apr 26, 2016EF12 mi200 yd00
May 23, 2015EF13.75 mi100 yd00
May 23, 2015EF00.2 mi20 yd00
May 15, 2013EF00.5 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2011EF13.3 mi150 yd00
May 21, 2011EF01 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 25, 20264 ENE HickoryNot 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.