Henderson County, Tennessee tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: December 11, 2021, EF2. 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 Henderson County

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The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMarch6 of 24
StrongestF4Mar 21, 1952
Deaths52whole paths, see note
Injuries312whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

March is the peak month, with 6 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 3: 03 AM: 1: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 1: 03 PM: 5: 1: 06 PM: 4: 0: 19 PM: 0: 3: 212 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 22010: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 4: 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
7
EF1
9
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
3

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, March 21, 1952

38 deaths, 157 injuries Strongest

F4, March 21, 1952

46.8 mile path Longest path

46.8 miles, F4

March 21, 1952, whole path Widest

880 yards, F4

May 4, 2003
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 11, 2021EF215.34 mi600 yd01
Dec 11, 2021EF17.86 mi300 yd00
Mar 27, 2021EF00.57 mi50 yd00
Mar 27, 2021EF12.97 mi300 yd00
Mar 27, 2017EF06.42 mi50 yd00
Jan 22, 2012EF17.97 mi150 yd00
Apr 25, 2011EF016.98 mi200 yd00
May 2, 2010EF05.7 mi100 yd00
Jul 30, 2009EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 30, 2009EF13.71 mi100 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F13.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F29 mi100 yd05
May 4, 2003F321 mi440 yd00
May 4, 2003F439 mi880 yd1186
May 18, 1995F00.5 mi10 yd00
Mar 6, 1995F00.5 mi50 yd00
Nov 4, 1988F16 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 1981F12 mi100 yd00
Feb 23, 1962F114 mi300 yd00
Apr 4, 1957F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1956F411.6 mi100 yd360
Apr 15, 1953F11 mi300 yd01
Mar 14, 1953F224 mi100 yd02
Mar 21, 1952F446.8 mi177 yd38157
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.