Grand Rapids, MI Tornado History — 82 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Grand Rapids, MI had?
Grand Rapids has had 82 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Grand Rapids?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Grand Rapids was an EF0 on May 15, 2025.
When is tornado season in Grand Rapids?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Grand Rapids, with 14 on record. April through June account for 39 of the 82 tornadoes on record near Grand Rapids.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Grand Rapids
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 26 total, averaging 1.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Grand Rapids 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
This EF-0 tornado had maximum estimated winds of 75 mph and a path of around 2.9 miles. Extensive tree damage occurred along this tornado path in Barry County. (GRR)
Within 25 miles of Grand Rapids. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Grand Rapids
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Grand Rapids and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on May 15, 2025. They are already counted in the Grand Rapids totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
An EF-1 tornado developed just east of the Thornapple River northeast of Caledonia. There it tracked northeast with the peak damage near Campbell Lake where houses sust (GRR)
The tornado developed near Sandy Pines campground and became more intense near the intersection of 138th Avenue and 24th Street. Primary damage consisted of numerous tr (GRR)
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 Grand Rapids
23 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Grand Rapids since 1950, across 3 events. 510 injuries have been reported across all events. 1956 was the deadliest year on record near Grand Rapids.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which caused 17 fatalities along a 58.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Grand Rapids
What the record shows near Grand Rapids
The 1960s were the busiest decade near Grand Rapids, with 17 of the 82 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 14 so far. The Grand Rapids record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Grand Rapids, 63 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Grand Rapids is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Grand Rapids has averaged 1.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 26 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 8, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.