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Okemos, MI Tornado History — 98 Tornadoes Since 1950

Michigan · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Okemos, MI had?

Okemos has had 98 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Okemos?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Okemos was an EF1 on May 15, 2025.

When is tornado season in Okemos?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Okemos, with 19 on record. April through June account for 49 of the 98 tornadoes on record near Okemos.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
98
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
4.1% of total
Peak Month
May
19 on record
Per Year Avg
1.3
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Okemos

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 24 total, averaging 1.2 per year over this window.

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

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

Preliminary tornado reports near Okemos since December 29, 2025

These are 2 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary EF0° June 9, 2026
2 SW Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI
This EF-0 tornado had maximum estimated winds of 75 mph and a path length of around 3.2 miles. One outbuilding was destroyed. Otherwise mostly tree damage or minor prop (GRR)
Preliminary EF0° April 15, 2026
1 E Newburg, Shiawassee County, MI
NWS Storm Survey team confirms an EF-0 tornado occurred in Durand on April 14. The tornado started near Newburg Rd just west of Lansing Rd... continued east before lift (DTX)

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

What storm spotters reported near Okemos

3 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Okemos 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 Okemos totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

EF1° May 16, 2025
3 W Gregory, Livingston County, MI
NWS damage survey confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado touched down between Stockbridge and Gregory being on the ground for a couple minutes before gusting out over Gregory. (DTX)
May 16, 2025
3 SSW Waverly, Eaton County, MI
Spotter reports power flashes near the Meijer distribution center off Creyts Rd. Tornado debris signature on radar. (GRR)
EF1° May 16, 2025
3 NNW Charlotte, Eaton County, MI
Tree and structure damage occurred along the path of this EF1 tornado. A number of homes had roofing material ripped away and several outbuildings were heavily damaged. (GRR)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 9
1970s 24
1980s 14
1990s 10
2000s 14
2010s 10
2020s 8

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 25
EF1 40
EF2 29
EF3 1
EF4 3

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 10
Apr 15
May 19
Jun 15
Jul 11
Aug 19
Sep 7
Oct 1
Nov 1
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Okemos

8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Okemos since 1950, across 6 events. 113 injuries have been reported across all events. 2023 was the deadliest year on record near Okemos.

The deadliest single event was an EF2 on August 24, 2023, which caused 2 fatalities along a 12.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Okemos

Deadliest Tornado
EF2 on August 24, 2023 — 2 fatalities, 12.0 mi path, 500 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF2 on August 24, 2023 — $75.1M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on August 21, 2003 — 880 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on May 28, 1955 — 64.6 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on May 15, 2025.

What the record shows near Okemos

The 1970s were the busiest decade near Okemos, with 24 of the 98 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Okemos record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Okemos, 65 reached EF0 or EF1 and 33 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Okemos is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Okemos has averaged 1.2 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 24 in total. 2007 was the busiest of them with 4, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Okemos, MI had?
Since 1950, 98 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Okemos. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Okemos?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Okemos was an EF2 on August 24, 2023, which caused 2 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Okemos?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Okemos, 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 Okemos been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Okemos, there have been 0 EF5 and 3 EF4 tornadoes 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 Okemos?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Okemos was an EF1 on May 15, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Okemos?
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.

Official Resources

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