Helena, AL Tornado History — 151 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Helena, AL had?
Helena has had 151 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 19 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Helena?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Helena was an EF0 on March 15, 2025.
When is tornado season in Helena?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Helena, with 44 on record. April through June account for 66 of the 151 tornadoes on record near Helena.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Helena
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 71 total, averaging 3.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Helena since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
TDS observed from KBMX radar. (BMX)
Numerous reports of damage along Hwy 11 near Roosevelt Blvd and Mary Taylor Rd. Video confirmation of a tornado from social media. (BMX)
Within 25 miles of Helena. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
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 Helena
178 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Helena since 1950, across 16 events. 2,792 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Helena.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 64 fatalities along a 80.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Helena
What the record shows near Helena
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Helena, with 39 of the 151 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 19 so far. The Helena record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Helena, 106 reached EF0 or EF1 and 45 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Helena is rated EF5, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Helena has averaged 3.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 71 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 12, and 1 of those years passed with none at all.