Paragould, AR Tornado History — 123 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Paragould, AR had?
Paragould has had 123 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 16 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Paragould?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Paragould was an EF1 on May 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Paragould?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Paragould, with 29 on record. April through June account for 56 of the 123 tornadoes on record near Paragould.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Paragould
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 46 total, averaging 2.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Paragould since December 29, 2025
These are 4 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
[Landspout] A brief landspout over open area. No damage was observed. (MEG)
An EF0 tornado moved just to the northwest of Light... damaging trees... a shed... and a grain bin. (MEG)
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90 mph touched down 4 miles WNW Rector... AR. This tornado produced tree damage... minor roof damage to a home... and roof uplift of (MEG)
An EF0 tornado formed near Beech Grove... resulting in damage to trees and a few outbuildings... moving east and lifting near Greene Road 125. (MEG)
Within 25 miles of Paragould. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Paragould
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Paragould and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 16, 2025 and the most recent on May 16, 2025. It is already counted in the Paragould totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
An EF-1 tornado occurred in mainly rural parts of Craighead County AR. (MEG)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Paragould
55 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Paragould since 1950, across 10 events. 988 injuries have been reported across all events. 1968 was the deadliest year on record near Paragould.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on May 15, 1968, which caused 35 fatalities along a 20.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Paragould
What the record shows near Paragould
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Paragould, with 27 of the 123 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 24 so far. The Paragould record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Paragould, 78 reached EF0 or EF1 and 45 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Paragould is rated EF4, of which 5 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Paragould has averaged 2.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 46 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 8, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.