Polk County, Tennessee tornadoes

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14confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: April 12, 2020, 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 Polk County

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The record

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril6 of 14
StrongestEF4Apr 27, 2011
Deaths30whole paths, see note
Injuries544whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 6 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 2: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 2: 03 PM: 1: 2: 06 PM: 2: 0: 09 PM: 1: 0: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 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
2
EF1
3
EF2
3
EF3
5
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

EF4, April 27, 2011

20 deaths, 335 injuries Strongest

EF4, April 27, 2011

48 mile path Longest path

48 miles, EF4

April 27, 2011, whole path Widest

880 yards, F2

December 13, 1973
Every tornado

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 12, 2020EF14.73 mi500 yd00
Nov 30, 2016EF34.6 mi155 yd20
Mar 2, 2012EF341 mi400 yd044
Apr 27, 2011EF448 mi800 yd20335
Apr 27, 2011EF227.95 mi250 yd40
Apr 25, 2010EF01.24 mi30 yd00
May 18, 2008EF02.1 mi25 yd00
May 7, 1998F114 mi100 yd00
Mar 29, 1997F13 mi100 yd00
Feb 6, 1986F310 mi270 yd05
Apr 3, 1974F321.2 mi500 yd350
Apr 3, 1974F318.1 mi350 yd1100
Mar 21, 1974F20.8 mi300 yd07
Dec 13, 1973F20.8 mi880 yd03
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.