Bell County, Texas tornadoes

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72confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 23, 2024, EFU. 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 Bell County

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The record

At a glance

Total721950 to 2025

Per year0.9average since 1950

Peak monthMay31 of 72

StrongestF3May 26, 1976

Deaths3whole paths, see note

Injuries74whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

May is the peak month, with 31 of 72 tornadoes.

By time of day

Most often around 6:00 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

Unknown

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 72 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
Date	Rating	Path length	Width	Deaths	Injuries
May 23, 2024	EFU	0.01 mi	20 yd	0	0
May 22, 2024	EF1	2.2 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 22, 2024	EF2	2.78 mi	420 yd	0	30
Apr 28, 2023	EF1	14.84 mi	1,400 yd	0	2
Apr 12, 2022	EF0	3.73 mi	120 yd	0	0
Apr 12, 2022	EF3	16.55 mi	770 yd	0	23
Mar 21, 2022	EF2	34.62 mi	600 yd	0	0
Mar 21, 2022	EF1	9.29 mi	300 yd	0	0
May 16, 2021	EF0	1.95 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 25, 2008	EF0	0.73 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 25, 2008	EF0	1.4 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 10, 2008	EF0	6.42 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 25, 2007	EF1	1.47 mi	30 yd	0	0
Mar 30, 2007	EF0	2.5 mi	30 yd	0	0
Jan 12, 2007	FU	1.47 mi	35 yd	0	0
Nov 23, 2004	F0	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Mar 25, 2003	F0	0.3 mi	20 yd	0	0
May 6, 2001	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 6, 2001	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Mar 10, 2000	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Feb 22, 2000	F0	12 mi	n/a	0	0
Sep 22, 1997	F0	1 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 27, 1997	F1	2.4 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 27, 1997	F1	0.2 mi	40 yd	0	0
May 27, 1997	F3	1.4 mi	273 yd	0	0
May 27, 1997	F0	0.2 mi	40 yd	0	0
May 27, 1997	F3	3.7 mi	150 yd	0	0
Mar 1, 1997	F1	2.5 mi	73 yd	0	0
Apr 12, 1996	F2	1 mi	250 yd	0	0
Apr 12, 1996	F0	0.1 mi	20 yd	0	0
May 26, 1994	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 17, 1992	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 17, 1992	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 11, 1992	F1	1 mi	200 yd	0	0
Mar 14, 1990	F3	9 mi	50 yd	0	0
Jan 25, 1989	F1	0.5 mi	73 yd	0	3
Oct 1, 1988	F1	1 mi	73 yd	0	0
Nov 15, 1987	F1	3 mi	100 yd	0	0
Aug 3, 1986	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 17, 1986	F1	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 13, 1985	F0	0.5 mi	30 yd	0	0
Nov 13, 1981	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	2
May 9, 1981	F1	1 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 31, 1976	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 26, 1976	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 26, 1976	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 26, 1976	F3	2 mi	100 yd	2	7
May 26, 1976	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 5, 1976	F2	0.5 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 20, 1975	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 7, 1975	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	2
May 23, 1973	F2	3.3 mi	150 yd	0	0
Oct 21, 1972	F2	5.4 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 1, 1972	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Aug 26, 1971	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 16, 1971	F1	0.3 mi	20 yd	0	0
Aug 14, 1969	F2	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	0
Aug 14, 1969	F2	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Aug 14, 1969	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Sep 22, 1967	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 13, 1967	F0	0.5 mi	33 yd	0	0
Apr 13, 1967	F2	5.4 mi	90 yd	0	0
Aug 9, 1965	F2	0.5 mi	10 yd	0	0
Apr 28, 1963	F2	0.5 mi	50 yd	0	3
May 29, 1960	F0	0.5 mi	33 yd	0	0
Aug 3, 1958	F1	1 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 24, 1957	F0	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	0
Mar 21, 1956	F0	0.1 mi	33 yd	0	0
Mar 21, 1956	F1	0.1 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 6, 1955	F2	10.1 mi	33 yd	1	1
Mar 21, 1955	F2	3.6 mi	17 yd	0	0
Mar 20, 1955	F1	4.1 mi	20 yd	0	1

Cities

Cities in Bell County

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

Killeen 21

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.