Metairie, LA Tornado History — 140 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Metairie, LA had?
Metairie has had 140 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Metairie?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Metairie was an EF0 on May 2, 2025.
When is tornado season in Metairie?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Metairie, with 23 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 Metairie
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 65 total, averaging 3.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Metairie 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Within 25 miles of Metairie. 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 Metairie
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Metairie since 1950, across 5 events. 211 injuries have been reported across all events. 2022 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on August 25, 1992, which caused 2 fatalities along a 9.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Metairie
About Tornadoes in Metairie
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Within a 25-mile radius of Metairie, Louisiana, 139 tornadoes have been recorded since 1950, according to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. The frequency of tornado reports has increased notably over time, with 9 events documented in the 1950s compared to 39 in the 2010s and 17 so far in the 2020s. This upward trend likely reflects improvements in detection technology and reporting practices rather than a fundamental change in atmospheric conditions.
The majority of tornadoes in the area have been relatively weak, with 68 rated EF0 and 42 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and damage. Twenty tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, four achieved EF3 strength, and only one has been rated EF4. Four additional events remain unrated in the historical record. May is the peak month for tornado activity near Metairie, with 22 tornadoes occurring during that month since 1950, consistent with the spring severe weather season when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler air masses.
The deadliest tornado on record struck on August 26, 1992, an F3-rated event that claimed 2 lives, caused $27.5 million in property damage, and carved a 9-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards. The costliest tornado occurred on December 14, 2022, an EF2 that produced $150 million in damage along a 10.6-mile track up to 200 yards wide, though it resulted in no fatalities. The widest tornado, an F1 from April 1, 1957, reached 1,000 yards across during its 2-mile path, while the longest-tracked tornado was an F0 on March 19, 1950, traveling 18.1 miles.
The most recent tornado near Metairie occurred on May 3, 2025, an EF0 event with a brief half-mile path, 20-yard width, and $15,000 in damage. No fatalities were reported from this event.