Benton County, Tennessee tornadoes

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26confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: April 5, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports 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 Benton County

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The record

At a glance

Total261950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 26
StrongestF4May 7, 1971
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries144whole 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

70 Jan: 1Feb: 3Mar: 4Apr: 5May: 7Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 3Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 7 of 26 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 2: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 1: 2: 03 PM: 2: 2: 46 PM: 1: 1: 39 PM: 1: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12000: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 3: 0: 2: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 2: 0: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
5
EF1
13
EF2
6
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 7, 1971

3 deaths, 137 injuries Strongest

F4, May 7, 1971

50.9 mile path Longest path

50.9 miles, F4

May 7, 1971, whole path Widest

500 yards, F1

May 26, 2000
Every tornado

All 26 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 5, 2025EF12.62 mi350 yd00
May 9, 2024EF01.31 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF00.62 mi50 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF19.07 mi100 yd00
May 4, 2021EF03.14 mi80 yd00
Mar 2, 2020EF218.72 mi250 yd12
Mar 27, 2016EF12.01 mi100 yd00
Apr 10, 2009EF14 mi75 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF26.56 mi440 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF12.02 mi50 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F26 mi50 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F01.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F10.2 mi20 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F00.1 mi10 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F21.2 mi150 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F11 mi100 yd00
Jun 13, 2004F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 27, 2000F14.9 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2000F15.8 mi500 yd00
May 25, 2000F15.4 mi50 yd00
Jan 22, 1999F315 mi220 yd15
Jun 14, 1998F11 mi100 yd00
Mar 22, 1991F27 mi150 yd00
May 7, 1971F124.8 mi100 yd00
May 7, 1971F450.9 mi100 yd3137
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.