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 strong to 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. April through June account for 55 of the 95 tornadoes on record near West Memphis.
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
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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
[Landspout] Video of brief landspout in open field near the Shannondale community. No damage reported. (MEG)
Within 25 miles of West Memphis. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near West Memphis
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of West Memphis and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 2, 2025 and the most recent on April 4, 2025. They are already counted in the West Memphis totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
An EF-1 tornado with winds up to 105 mph damaged numerous utility poles and significant tree damage on Gaskill Road. (MEG)
A brief EF0 tornado occurred over mostly open fields in far northeast St Francis County... lifting west of Jeanette in Crittenden County. Maximum winds were 85 mph. The (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 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 near West Memphis.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on December 14, 1987, which caused 6 fatalities along a 25.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near West Memphis
What the record shows near West Memphis
The 1970s were the busiest decade near West Memphis, with 20 of the 95 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The West Memphis record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near West Memphis, 65 reached EF0 or EF1 and 30 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near West Memphis is rated EF3, of which 12 are logged.
Across the last 20 years West Memphis has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 5, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.