Clay County, Texas tornadoes

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40 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: November 3, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 4 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay19 of 40
StrongestF4Apr 10, 1979
Deaths43whole paths, see note
Injuries1,760whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

190 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 11May: 19Jun: 2Jul: 1Aug: 5Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 19 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 1: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 3: 9: 66 PM: 6: 6: 29 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 1: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 3: 1: 02000: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 2: 0: 0: 2: 3: 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. This year so far: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
17
EF2
4
EF3
3
EF4
1
Unknown
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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, April 10, 1979

42 deaths, 1,740 injuries Strongest

F4, April 10, 1979

46.9 mile path Longest path

46.9 miles, F4

April 10, 1979, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F4

April 10, 1979

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Nov 3, 2024EF18.4 mi250 yd00
May 25, 2024EF13.4 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2024EF13.43 mi200 yd00
Jun 15, 2023EF12.5 mi100 yd00
May 4, 2023EF00.1 mi20 yd00
May 22, 2020EF12.3 mi50 yd00
May 22, 2020EFU2.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 30, 2019EF110 mi300 yd00
Apr 30, 2019EFU1.5 mi40 yd00
May 19, 2015EF00.2 mi30 yd00
May 19, 2015EF01 mi200 yd00
Aug 18, 2007EF11 mi100 yd00
Apr 24, 2006F16.3 mi200 yd00
Apr 30, 2004F01 mi100 yd00
May 30, 2001F00.3 mi25 yd00
Jul 12, 2000F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 26, 1998F10.2 mi50 yd02
Jun 16, 1997F16.5 mi100 yd00
May 8, 1997F00.1 mi23 yd00
May 8, 1997F00.1 mi23 yd00
Apr 19, 1995F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 8, 1993F18 mi90 yd00
May 8, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 8, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 27, 1990F12 mi50 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 25, 20262 NNE ShannonNot yet rated
Apr 25, 20265 NE WindthorstNot yet rated
Apr 25, 20264 NE WindthorstNot yet rated
Apr 28, 2026VashtiNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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 12, 2026.