Franklin County, Tennessee tornadoes

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36confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: August 20, 2025, EF0. 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 Franklin County

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The record

At a glance

Total361950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMarch8 of 36
StrongestEF5Apr 27, 2011
Deaths103whole paths, see note
Injuries506whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 1Feb: 6Mar: 8Apr: 7May: 5Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 5Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 8 of 36 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 2: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 0: 23 PM: 1: 5: 36 PM: 6: 1: 29 PM: 0: 6: 412 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 4: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 1: 2: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 02020: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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
7
EF1
20
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
2
EF5
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

EF5, April 27, 2011

72 deaths, 145 injuries Strongest

EF5, April 27, 2011

132 mile path Longest path

132 miles, EF5

April 27, 2011, whole path Widest

2,200 yards, EF5

April 27, 2011
Every tornado

All 36 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 20, 2025EF00.26 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2025EF16.78 mi100 yd00
Apr 5, 2025EF18.71 mi350 yd00
May 9, 2024EF110.23 mi194 yd00
Mar 15, 2024EF00.31 mi20 yd00
Mar 24, 2023EF115.26 mi240 yd00
May 4, 2020EF01.05 mi100 yd00
Mar 24, 2020EF14.76 mi175 yd00
Nov 6, 2018EF229.42 mi500 yd00
Mar 19, 2018EF03.68 mi150 yd00
Mar 9, 2017EF14.2 mi320 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF11.98 mi400 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF11.05 mi100 yd00
Jun 9, 2013EF00.29 mi50 yd00
Jun 9, 2013EF12.85 mi150 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF10.93 mi100 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF5132 mi2,200 yd72145
Feb 28, 2011EF216.1 mi600 yd14
Jan 21, 2010EF01.96 mi300 yd00
Mar 28, 2009EF11.46 mi60 yd00
May 31, 2004F16 mi150 yd00
Mar 5, 2004F00.2 mi100 yd00
May 2, 1997F20.9 mi150 yd00
Nov 7, 1996F10.1 mi18 yd00
Nov 7, 1996F10.1 mi18 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 22, 20264 S HuntlandNot 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.