Gainesville, FL Tornado History — 81 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Gainesville, FL had?
Gainesville has had 81 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Gainesville?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Gainesville was an EF1 on December 8, 2021.
When is tornado season in Gainesville?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Gainesville, with 10 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 Gainesville
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.
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 Gainesville
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Gainesville since 1950, across 1 event. 30 injuries have been reported across all events. 1993 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F1 on March 13, 1993, which caused 1 fatality along a 0.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Gainesville
About Tornadoes in Gainesville
This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Gainesville's tornado history reflects its setting in Alachua County in north-central Florida, where twisters have spun out of winter cold fronts, spring squall lines, and summer and fall tropical weather alike.
The area's F2 tornadoes have often arrived with cool-season and springtime storm systems. On April 4, 1973, an F2 tornado tracked 39 miles through the area on a path roughly 67 yards wide, injuring four people and causing $275,000 in property damage. On May 4, 1978, another F2 carved a 12.8-mile path as much as 300 yards wide, also injuring four and producing $2,750,000 in damage, and an F2 on March 14, 1986, likewise caused $2,750,000 in damage. An F1 on March 13, 1993, proved deadly, killing one person and injuring four along a 0.8-mile track while causing $2,750,000 in property damage.
Weaker tornadoes have been a warm-season fixture as well, including F0 touchdowns on September 5 and September 16, 2004, at the height of hurricane season. In the Enhanced Fujita scale era, the area has seen EF1 tornadoes on December 16, 2007, January 21, 2010, December 24, 2020, and December 8, 2021 — a reminder that around Gainesville, the tornado threat extends deep into winter.