Putnam County, Tennessee tornadoes

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20confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: February 6, 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 Putnam County

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The record

At a glance

Total201950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMarch7 of 20
StrongestEF4Mar 3, 2020
Deaths30whole paths, see note
Injuries147whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

March is the peak month, with 7 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 29 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 4: 13 PM: 1: 1: 26 PM: 2: 1: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 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
12
EF3
1
EF4
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

EF4, March 3, 2020

19 deaths, 87 injuries Strongest

EF4, March 3, 2020

8.39 mile path Longest path

28.4 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

900 yards, EF4

March 3, 2020
Every tornado

All 20 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Feb 6, 2025EF17.6 mi400 yd01
May 28, 2021EF012.82 mi150 yd00
Aug 28, 2020EF02.38 mi50 yd00
Mar 3, 2020EF00.23 mi25 yd00
Mar 3, 2020EF48.39 mi900 yd1987
Mar 3, 2020EF03.32 mi50 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF10.11 mi90 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF17.62 mi150 yd00
Jul 14, 2015EF12.76 mi150 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF11.65 mi500 yd00
Apr 10, 2009EF16 mi100 yd00
Mar 19, 2003F112.2 mi440 yd11
Jan 24, 1997F113 mi200 yd00
May 14, 1995F00.5 mi20 yd00
Feb 21, 1993F310 mi100 yd06
May 7, 1984F11 mi50 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F428.4 mi700 yd1051
May 10, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 13, 1956F10.2 mi10 yd00
May 12, 1955F19.4 mi300 yd01
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.