Smith County, Texas tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Smith County...

75confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: October 28, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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.

The record

At a glance

Total751950 to 2025
Per year1.0average since 1950
Peak monthApril20 of 75
StrongestF3Nov 15, 1987
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries108whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

200 Jan: 7Feb: 5Mar: 9Apr: 20May: 19Jun: 3Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 5Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 20 of 75 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 1: 1: 69 AM: 3: 1: 312 PM: 2: 4: 33 PM: 6: 11: 56 PM: 12: 4: 29 PM: 4: 2: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 3: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 5: 51980: 1: 2: 0: 2: 0: 4: 0: 3: 1: 31990: 2: 4: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 12010: 2: 3: 0: 0: 0: 3: 2: 3: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
33
EF2
20
EF3
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

F3, November 15, 1987

4 deaths, 81 injuries Strongest

F3, November 15, 1987

33 mile path Longest path

33 miles, F3

November 15, 1987, whole path Widest

3,221 yards, EF2

April 29, 2016
Every tornado

All 75 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 28, 2025EF14.41 mi137 yd00
May 6, 2025EF14.93 mi600 yd00
Apr 4, 2025EF125.47 mi1,420 yd01
May 23, 2024EF14.29 mi480 yd06
Apr 20, 2023EF00.7 mi65 yd00
Aug 22, 2022EF13.78 mi200 yd00
Jun 8, 2021EF01.62 mi40 yd00
May 18, 2019EF10.72 mi200 yd00
Apr 29, 2017EF12.99 mi570 yd00
Apr 10, 2017EF11.83 mi250 yd00
Apr 10, 2017EF10.47 mi100 yd00
Apr 29, 2016EF225.94 mi3,221 yd02
Apr 29, 2016EF21 mi400 yd00
Dec 12, 2015EF21.79 mi150 yd00
May 10, 2015EF11.09 mi450 yd00
May 10, 2015EF11.44 mi440 yd00
Apr 26, 2011EF03.18 mi60 yd00
Apr 26, 2011EF03.18 mi60 yd00
Apr 26, 2011EF113.87 mi880 yd01
Jan 20, 2010EF10.47 mi75 yd00
Jan 20, 2010EF01.48 mi75 yd00
Feb 10, 2009EF17.11 mi300 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF11 mi300 yd00
Dec 29, 2006F11.5 mi100 yd00
Mar 4, 2004F114 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 4, 20261 ENE LindaleNot yet rated
Apr 4, 20261 NNE LindaleNot 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

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Smith County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.