Shelby County, Tennessee tornadoes

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56confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: October 21, 2019, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Fromto

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 Shelby County

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The record

At a glance

Total561950 to 2025

Per year0.7average since 1950

Peak monthApril13 of 56

StrongestF3Dec 14, 1987

Deaths16whole paths, see note

Injuries264whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

April is the peak month, with 13 of 56 tornadoes.

By time of day

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

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

EF1

EF2

EF3

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

All 56 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
Date	Rating	Path length	Width	Deaths	Injuries
Oct 21, 2019	EF1	7.42 mi	250 yd	0	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF0	1.54 mi	75 yd	0	0
May 1, 2010	EF1	0.61 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jul 30, 2009	EF1	1.96 mi	250 yd	0	0
Jun 12, 2009	EF1	0.1 mi	30 yd	0	0
Feb 5, 2008	EF0	4.9 mi	50 yd	0	0
Feb 5, 2008	EF2	10.24 mi	440 yd	3	13
Feb 5, 2008	EF2	8.09 mi	150 yd	0	1
Jun 17, 2006	F1	0.3 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 22, 2004	F0	0.1 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jan 22, 1999	F1	3.5 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 15, 1995	F0	0.5 mi	23 yd	0	0
Nov 27, 1994	F3	16 mi	200 yd	3	25
Jun 9, 1994	F1	5 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 9, 1994	F0	0.5 mi	10 yd	0	0
Mar 18, 1992	F0	1.5 mi	50 yd	0	0
Nov 19, 1991	F1	10 mi	50 yd	0	0
Mar 27, 1991	F1	0.5 mi	50 yd	0	0
Nov 7, 1989	F0	0.5 mi	17 yd	0	0
Jun 4, 1989	F1	2.5 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jun 4, 1989	F2	7 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 22, 1988	F0	3 mi	50 yd	0	0
Dec 14, 1987	F3	25 mi	200 yd	6	121
Apr 21, 1984	F3	3 mi	20 yd	0	3
Nov 23, 1983	F1	2 mi	80 yd	0	0
Dec 25, 1982	F2	2 mi	77 yd	0	0
Mar 22, 1979	F2	1 mi	50 yd	0	3
Aug 29, 1978	F2	2 mi	100 yd	0	26
May 27, 1973	F2	2 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 22, 1973	F1	0.3 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 11, 1973	F1	0.5 mi	100 yd	0	0
Apr 19, 1973	F1	1 mi	100 yd	0	0
Apr 21, 1972	F1	0.3 mi	20 yd	0	0
Jun 19, 1970	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	1
Apr 24, 1970	F3	10.4 mi	50 yd	0	3
Apr 24, 1970	F3	12.3 mi	50 yd	0	18
Apr 24, 1970	F3	17 mi	50 yd	0	5
Apr 19, 1970	F2	0.3 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 1, 1970	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 24, 1969	F1	0.5 mi	10 yd	0	0
Sep 17, 1968	F2	0.3 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 25, 1968	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 16, 1968	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 16, 1968	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 15, 1968	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 3, 1968	F3	28.8 mi	1,760 yd	4	32
Jul 5, 1967	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 14, 1967	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 23, 1967	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 23, 1967	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	2
May 16, 1966	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jul 11, 1964	F1	0.3 mi	13 yd	0	0
Mar 4, 1964	F2	7.6 mi	200 yd	0	3
Jul 21, 1956	F1	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	0
Oct 28, 1955	F2	0.2 mi	100 yd	0	0
Feb 13, 1950	F1	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	8

Cities

Cities in Shelby County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Memphis 33

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.