DeKalb County, Tennessee tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 6, 2024, 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 DeKalb County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 16
StrongestF3Apr 3, 1974
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries28whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 6 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 2: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 2: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 2: 1: 26 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 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
4
EF1
6
EF2
4
EF3
2

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, April 3, 1974

1 deaths, 23 injuries Strongest

F3, April 3, 1974

14.6 mile path Longest path

15 miles, F3

April 27, 1971, whole path Widest

440 yards, F2

January 24, 1997
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 6, 2024EF13.23 mi150 yd00
May 4, 2021EF04.81 mi200 yd00
May 4, 2021EF01.04 mi25 yd00
Nov 6, 2018EF18.72 mi350 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF28.37 mi250 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF114.84 mi300 yd10
May 26, 2011EF01.93 mi50 yd00
Jan 24, 1997F27.3 mi440 yd00
Jan 24, 1997F22 mi220 yd01
May 18, 1995F02 mi23 yd00
May 7, 1984F12 mi70 yd00
Aug 29, 1980F10.8 mi40 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F314.6 mi100 yd123
Apr 27, 1971F315 mi200 yd03
Apr 23, 1968F10.1 mi10 yd01
Mar 5, 1955F20.1 mi10 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 13, 2026.