Emporia, KS Tornado History — 96 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Emporia, KS had?
Emporia has had 96 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Emporia?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Emporia was an Unrated on June 28, 2024.
When is tornado season in Emporia?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Emporia, with 37 on record. April through June account for 75 of the 96 tornadoes on record near Emporia.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Emporia
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 34 total, averaging 1.7 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Emporia since December 29, 2025
These are 4 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Report received via image from social media. (ICT)
Report of tornado south of Admire on road L and 280. Relayed by Emergency Manager. Time Estimated radar. (TOP)
Time estimated by radar. Delayed report from EM on at least 3 homes damaged near Lake Kahola from a tornado. (TOP)
A short-lived tornado impacted Olivet... Kansas and produced damage consistent with a EF1 tornado. Several outbuildings were badly damaged with metal siding... framing (TOP)
Within 25 miles of Emporia. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. 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 Emporia
7 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Emporia since 1950, across 2 events. 211 injuries have been reported across all events. 1974 was the deadliest year on record near Emporia.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on June 8, 1974, which caused 6 fatalities along a 37.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Emporia
What the record shows near Emporia
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Emporia, with 17 of the 96 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 12 so far. The Emporia record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Emporia, 73 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Emporia is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 4 near Emporia are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Emporia has averaged 1.7 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 34 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 6, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.