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Natchitoches, LA Tornado History — 100 Tornadoes Since 1950

Louisiana · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Natchitoches, LA had?

Natchitoches has had 100 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 10 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Natchitoches?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Natchitoches was an EF2 on July 8, 2024.

When is tornado season in Natchitoches?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Natchitoches, with 19 on record. April through June account for 37 of the 100 tornadoes on record near Natchitoches.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
100
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
10
10.0% of total
Peak Month
May
19 on record
Per Year Avg
1.3
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Natchitoches

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 52 total, averaging 2.6 per year over this window.

2026 0+1 prelim
2025 0
2024 4
2023 3
2022 5
2021 0
2020 0
2019 2
2018 8
2017 8
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 2
2011 7
2010 2
2009 6
2008 5
2007 0

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near Natchitoches 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary January 10, 2026
4 ESE Coushatta, Red River County, LA
Storm Spotter reported snapped trees on the southeast side of Coushatta near the Rolling Hills Trailer Park off Hwy. 71. Strong circulation in that exact vicinity with (SHV)

Within 25 miles of Natchitoches. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 11
1960s 1
1970s 8
1980s 10
1990s 11
2000s 18
2010s 29
2020s 12

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.

EF0 28
EF1 41
EF2 20
EF3 9
EF4 1
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 11
Feb 6
Mar 17
Apr 18
May 19
Jun 0
Jul 3
Aug 2
Sep 3
Oct 4
Nov 14
Dec 3

Casualties on Record Near Natchitoches

10 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Natchitoches since 1950, across 5 events. 128 injuries have been reported across all events. 1950 was the deadliest year on record near Natchitoches.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on February 12, 1950, which caused 5 fatalities along a 74.5-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Natchitoches

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on February 12, 1950 — 5 fatalities, 74.5 mi path, 100 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F3 on May 19, 1983 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF1 on March 24, 2017 — 2,464 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on March 22, 1953 — 234.7 mile track.
Most Recent
EF2 on July 8, 2024.

What the record shows near Natchitoches

The 2010s were the busiest decade near Natchitoches, with 29 of the 100 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 12 so far. The Natchitoches record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Natchitoches, 69 reached EF0 or EF1 and 30 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Natchitoches is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Natchitoches is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Natchitoches has averaged 2.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 52 in total. 2017 was the busiest of them with 8, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Natchitoches, LA had?
Since 1950, 100 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Natchitoches. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Natchitoches?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Natchitoches was an F3 on February 12, 1950, which caused 5 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Natchitoches?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Natchitoches, with 19 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Natchitoches been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Natchitoches, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Natchitoches?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Natchitoches was an EF2 on July 8, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Natchitoches?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

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