Kentwood, MI Tornado History — 91 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Kentwood, MI had?
Kentwood has had 91 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Kentwood?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Kentwood was an EF0 on May 15, 2025.
When is tornado season in Kentwood?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Kentwood, with 19 on record. April through June account for 48 of the 91 tornadoes on record near Kentwood.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Kentwood
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 26 total, averaging 1.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Kentwood 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 Kentwood. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Kentwood
3 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Kentwood 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 Kentwood 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)
An EF-1 tornado with top winds of 100 mph crossed the most southern part of Gun Lake traveling to the northeast before ending northeast of the Otis Sanctuary. Mostly tr (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 Kentwood
23 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Kentwood since 1950, across 3 events. 516 injuries have been reported across all events. 1956 was the deadliest year on record near Kentwood.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which caused 17 fatalities along a 58.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Kentwood
What the record shows near Kentwood
The 1960s were the busiest decade near Kentwood, with 16 of the 91 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 15 so far. The Kentwood record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Kentwood, 69 reached EF0 or EF1 and 22 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Kentwood is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Kentwood has averaged 1.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 26 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 9, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.