West Memphis, AR Tornado History — 95 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has West Memphis, AR had?
West Memphis has had 95 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 12 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near West Memphis?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of West Memphis was an EF1 on April 5, 2025.
When is tornado season in West Memphis?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near West Memphis, with 21 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near West Memphis
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near West Memphis since December 29, 2025
These 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Within 25 miles of West Memphis. 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 West Memphis
24 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of West Memphis since 1950, across 9 events. 408 injuries have been reported across all events. 1987 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on December 14, 1987, which caused 6 fatalities along a 25.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near West Memphis
About Tornadoes in West Memphis
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.
West Memphis sits on the flat Mississippi River floodplain of Crittenden County, Arkansas, directly across the river from Memphis, and its tornado history reflects the Mid-South's split calendar: a spring season centered on April, and a cool-season threat that stretches from November into February.
Spring has brought violent days. On April 4, 1968, an F3 carved a 28.8-mile path as much as 1,760 yards wide, killing 4 people and injuring 32. F3 tornadoes struck the area again on April 24, 1970. On March 31, 2023, an EF3 tracked 72.55 miles through the region, killing 4 and injuring 26, and an EF2 followed on April 1, 2023. As recently as April 5, 2025, EF1 tornadoes touched down nearby.
The cool season has been dangerous here as well. Tornadoes hit on November 27, 1973, among them an F2 that killed 1 person and injured 50. On December 15, 1987, an F3 ran a 25-mile path across the area, killing 6 and injuring 121. An F3 struck on January 7, 1978, and an F2 on December 25, 1982. On February 5, 2008, an EF2 killed 3 people and caused $128.4 million in damage along a 10.24-mile track. Winter tornadoes have continued: an EF2 on December 21, 2013 killed 1 person, and another EF2 struck on January 11, 2020.