Cherokee County, South Carolina tornadoes

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23confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: May 22, 2020, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

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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

Total231950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 23
StrongestF4May 5, 1989
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries94whole 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

60 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 2Apr: 3May: 6Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 4Sep: 1Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 6 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 5: 33 PM: 6: 2: 36 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21990: 2: 0: 0: 0: 6: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
3
EF1
13
EF2
5
EF3
1
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 5, 1989

2 deaths, 35 injuries Strongest

F4, May 5, 1989

15 mile path Longest path

60.2 miles, F3

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

700 yards, F4

May 5, 1989
Every tornado

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 22, 2020EF112.74 mi200 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF24.86 mi150 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF121.83 mi150 yd00
Oct 8, 2017EF10.07 mi100 yd00
Sep 27, 2004F10.8 mi50 yd00
May 29, 1996F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 1, 1995F09 mi50 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F210 mi150 yd01
Aug 16, 1994F24 mi100 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F13 mi73 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F130 mi150 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F133 mi100 yd04
Mar 27, 1994F245.4 mi100 yd013
Apr 28, 1990F15 mi40 yd00
Feb 10, 1990F15 mi50 yd00
May 5, 1989F415 mi700 yd235
Apr 4, 1989F18 mi50 yd00
Dec 5, 1977F10.2 mi17 yd01
May 27, 1973F360.2 mi150 yd040
Apr 18, 1969F20.5 mi83 yd00
Jul 15, 1964F01 mi100 yd00
May 22, 1963F10.5 mi100 yd00
Feb 16, 1954F11 mi33 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 12, 2026.