Laurel, MS Tornado History — 182 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Laurel, MS had?
Laurel has had 182 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 22 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Laurel?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Laurel was an EF2 on April 6, 2025, causing 1 fatality.
When is tornado season in Laurel?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Laurel, with 46 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 Laurel
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 93 total, averaging 4.7 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Laurel since December 29, 2025
These are 9 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 Laurel. 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 Laurel
27 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Laurel since 1950, across 11 events. 848 injuries have been reported across all events. 2020 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 12, 2020, which caused 7 fatalities along a 67.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Laurel
About Tornadoes in Laurel
This overview was written July 24, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Laurel lies in the Pine Belt of southeastern Mississippi, in the gently rolling, heavily forested country of the Deep South. This is a region where tornadoes are a serious and recurring danger, and the dense pine woods can hide a tornado from view until it is dangerously close.
Mississippi's tornado climate is shaped by its nearness to the Gulf of Mexico. Warm, humid Gulf air is available much of the year, so when a strong jet stream provides wind shear the atmosphere can turn severe not only in spring but again in a secondary cool-season peak during late fall and winter. Tornadoes in the Deep South are also more likely to occur after dark and to travel within fast-moving squall lines, both of which make them especially hazardous to residents who may not receive timely warning.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage rather than a direct wind measurement. Most are weak, but the regional climate is capable of producing violent, long-track tornadoes. For the Laurel area's specific record — total counts, the decade and rating breakdowns, and the deadliest, costliest, and most recent events — consult the figures drawn from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center elsewhere on this page.