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Pine Bluff, AR Tornado History — 74 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arkansas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Pine Bluff, AR had?

Pine Bluff has had 74 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Pine Bluff?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Pine Bluff was an EF1 on March 14, 2025.

When is tornado season in Pine Bluff?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Pine Bluff, with 14 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
74
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
5
6.8% of total
Peak Month
May
14 on record
Per Year Avg
1.0
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Pine Bluff

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 26 total, averaging 1.3 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 2
2023 2
2022 1
2021 1
2020 0
2019 1
2018 0
2017 1
2016 2
2015 0
2014 2
2013 2
2012 3
2011 2
2010 0
2009 3
2008 2
2007 1

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 4
1960s 6
1970s 12
1980s 11
1990s 5
2000s 16
2010s 13
2020s 7

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.

EF0 28
EF1 29
EF2 11
EF3 4
EF4 1
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 8
Feb 3
Mar 8
Apr 13
May 14
Jun 2
Jul 5
Aug 1
Sep 0
Oct 6
Nov 6
Dec 8

Casualties on Record Near Pine Bluff

15 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Pine Bluff since 1950, across 3 events. 53 injuries have been reported across all events. 1952 was the deadliest year on record.

The deadliest single event was a F3 on March 21, 1952, which caused 9 fatalities along a 16.2-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Pine Bluff

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on March 21, 1952 — 9 fatalities, 16.2 mi path, 10 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF2 on May 2, 2008 — $3.5M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF1 on April 26, 2011 — 800 yards wide.
Longest Path
F1 on January 7, 1978 — 35.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on March 14, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Pine Bluff

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.

Pine Bluff sits in Jefferson County in southeast Arkansas, where the Arkansas River winds through flat Delta farmland — open country whose tornadoes have arrived both in the heart of spring and in the depths of winter.

An F3 tornado struck on March 21, 1952, killing nine people and injuring nine more along a 16.2-mile path. On April 4, 1968, an F4 carved a 33.7-mile track through the area, killing five and injuring 16. Spring has brought other destructive storms: an F3 on May 15, 1983, caused $2,750,000 in property damage along a five-mile path, and an EF2 on May 2, 2008, traveled 22.85 miles and did $3,500,000 in damage.

Cold-season tornadoes belong to this history too. An F3 moved through on December 19, 1957, and an EF2 on January 23, 2012, tracked nearly 17 miles across the area during a midwinter outbreak that spun up multiple tornadoes the same day.

The threat has continued in recent years. An EF1 on May 8, 2019, injured nine people despite a path of barely a quarter mile, a reminder that even lower-rated tornadoes can hurt people when they cross populated ground, and another EF1 touched down on March 15, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Pine Bluff, AR had?
Since 1950, 74 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Pine Bluff. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Pine Bluff?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Pine Bluff was a F3 on March 21, 1952, which caused 9 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Pine Bluff?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Pine Bluff, with 14 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Pine Bluff been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Pine Bluff, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Pine Bluff?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Pine Bluff was an EF1 on March 14, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Pine Bluff?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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