Gadsden, AL Tornado History — 126 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Gadsden, AL had?
Gadsden has had 126 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 25 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Gadsden?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Gadsden was an EF1 on May 20, 2025.
When is tornado season in Gadsden?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Gadsden, with 46 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Gadsden
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 57 total, averaging 2.9 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Gadsden
61 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Gadsden since 1950, across 10 events. 606 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 22 fatalities along a 97.3-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Gadsden
About Tornadoes in Gadsden
This overview was written July 28, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Gadsden sits in Etowah County, where the Coosa River valley meets the foothills of northeast Alabama, and its tornado history follows two distinct seasons: a spring concentration in March and April, and a recurring late-autumn and early-winter threat.
Spring storms have hit hard. On March 27, 1994, an F4 tore a 50-mile path up to 880 yards wide through the area, killing 22 people, injuring 150, and causing $27,500,000 in property damage. On April 27, 2011, an EF4 tracked 97.33 miles with a path 1,760 yards wide, killing 22 and injuring 85, with damage put at $366,755,000. April 25, 2010 brought an EF4 along with destructive EF3s the same day, and March 20, 2018 saw an EF3 whose damage path spread 2,175 yards across. On March 25, 2021, an EF3 killed 6 people along a 38.17-mile track.
The cool season is dangerous here as well. An F4 on November 18, 1957 killed 3 people and injured 12; an F4 on November 24, 2001 injured 22; and an F3 on December 16, 2000 injured 14. The threat continues into the present: EF1 tornadoes touched down in the Gadsden area on May 21, 2025.