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Russellville, AR Tornado History — 99 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arkansas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Russellville, AR had?

Russellville has had 99 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 11 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Russellville?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Russellville was an EF1 on June 25, 2023.

When is tornado season in Russellville?

April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Russellville, with 22 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
99
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
11
11.1% of total
Peak Month
April
22 on record
Per Year Avg
1.3
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Russellville

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

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 2
2022 3
2021 1
2020 2
2019 0
2018 1
2017 3
2016 0
2015 2
2014 1
2013 0
2012 0
2011 3
2010 1
2009 3
2008 4
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 15
1960s 6
1970s 16
1980s 7
1990s 14
2000s 22
2010s 11
2020s 8

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 20
EF1 40
EF2 28
EF3 10
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 4
Feb 7
Mar 16
Apr 22
May 21
Jun 5
Jul 2
Aug 1
Sep 4
Oct 1
Nov 15
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Russellville

19 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Russellville since 1950, across 7 events. 312 injuries have been reported across all events. 2008 was the deadliest year on record.

The deadliest single event was an EF4 on February 5, 2008, which caused 13 fatalities along a 121.8-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Russellville

Deadliest Tornado
EF4 on February 5, 2008 — 13 fatalities, 121.8 mi path, 1,320 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF4 on February 5, 2008 — $119.3M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on May 18, 1960 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF4 on February 5, 2008 — 121.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on June 25, 2023.

About Tornadoes in Russellville

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.

Russellville lies in the Arkansas River Valley of Pope County, and its tornado history reflects the two seasons that drive severe weather in this part of west-central Arkansas: the spring months of March through May, and a cool-season window running from November into February.

The spring side of the ledger includes an F3 that struck on April 8, 1980, injuring 76 people along a 3.6-mile path that spread to 1,707 yards wide, and a pair of deadly EF3s in back-to-back years — April 30, 2010, and May 25, 2011 — each of which killed one person on tracks of roughly 20 and 29 miles.

The cool season has produced violent weather of its own. On November 27, 2005, multiple tornadoes moved through the area in a single day, including an F3 that stayed on the ground for 19 miles. On January 8, 2008, an EF2 tracked more than 20 miles and killed one person. Four weeks later, on February 5, 2008, an EF4 crossed the area on a 121.84-mile path up to 1,320 yards wide, killing 13 people, injuring 139, and causing $119,310,000 in property damage.

Tornadoes remain a live threat here: on June 18, 2023, an EF2 carved a 5.4-mile path roughly 700 yards wide through the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Russellville, AR had?
Since 1950, 99 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Russellville. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Russellville?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Russellville was an EF4 on February 5, 2008, which caused 13 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Russellville?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Russellville, with 22 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 Russellville been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Russellville, 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 Russellville?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Russellville was an EF1 on June 25, 2023.
How do I get tornado warnings for Russellville?
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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