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Searcy, AR Tornado History — 136 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arkansas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Searcy, AR had?

Searcy has had 136 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 24 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Searcy?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Searcy was an EF1 on April 20, 2025.

When is tornado season in Searcy?

April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Searcy, with 27 on record. April through June account for 58 of the 136 tornadoes on record near Searcy.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
136
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
24
17.6% of total
Peak Month
April
27 on record
Per Year Avg
1.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Searcy

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 34 total, averaging 1.7 per year over this window.

2026 0+1 prelim
2025 2
2024 0
2023 2
2022 1
2021 1
2020 2
2019 1
2018 1
2017 5
2016 0
2015 0
2014 5
2013 0
2012 0
2011 4
2010 4
2009 0
2008 6
2007 0

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near Searcy since December 29, 2025

This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary EF1° April 29, 2026
3 SE Hopewell, Cleburne County, AR
This is a delayed report. NWS Storm Survey found a brief EF-1 tornado touched down just to the north of County Line Road and west of Carter Road on the evening of April (LZK)

Within 25 miles of Searcy. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

What storm spotters reported near Searcy

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Searcy and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 20, 2025 and the most recent on April 20, 2025. It is already counted in the Searcy totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

April 20, 2025
3 NW Woodlawn Addition, Lonoke County, AR
HAM radio report of tornado that damaged a house near the intersection of AR-Highway 319 and Indian Lakes Road. Spotter had view of tornado as it approached their locat (LZK)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 13
1960s 7
1970s 11
1980s 18
1990s 22
2000s 37
2010s 20
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 18
EF1 55
EF2 39
EF3 21
EF4 3

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 14
Feb 12
Mar 24
Apr 27
May 25
Jun 6
Jul 1
Aug 0
Sep 3
Oct 0
Nov 11
Dec 13

Casualties on Record Near Searcy

104 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Searcy since 1950, across 18 events. 1,287 injuries have been reported across all events. 1952 was the deadliest year on record near Searcy.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on March 21, 1952, which caused 50 fatalities along a 14.6-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Searcy

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on March 21, 1952 — 50 fatalities, 14.6 mi path, 1,760 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2014 — $223.4M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF2 on April 25, 2011 — 2,900 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on May 26, 1973 — 54.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on April 20, 2025.

What the record shows near Searcy

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Searcy, with 37 of the 136 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Searcy record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Searcy, 73 reached EF0 or EF1 and 63 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Searcy is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Searcy has averaged 1.7 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 34 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 6, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Searcy, AR had?
Since 1950, 136 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Searcy. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Searcy?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Searcy was an F4 on March 21, 1952, which caused 50 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Searcy?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Searcy, with 27 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 Searcy been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Searcy, there have been 0 EF5 and 3 EF4 tornadoes 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 Searcy?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Searcy was an EF1 on April 20, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Searcy?
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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