Independence, MO Tornado History — 135 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Independence, MO had?
Independence has had 135 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 13 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Independence?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Independence was an EF0 on June 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Independence?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Independence, with 55 on record. April through June account for 101 of the 135 tornadoes on record near Independence.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Independence
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 48 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Independence since December 29, 2025
These are 5 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
During the evening of Saturday June 13... 2026 a line of damaging thunderstorms moved across the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. At 8:47 PM CDT... a tornado formed on th (EAX)
TDS observed on radar at 9:52 PM CDT. (EAX)
Just after 9 PM CDT Thursday April 23... 2026... within a severe line of thunderstorms... an embedded circulation resulted in a brief EF 0 Tornado beginning on the sout (EAX)
Public report of a tornado touch down. (EAX)
NWS Damage Survey found evidence of a 7.9 mile long EF-0 tornado that began in Shawnee... crossing the state line into Missouri... and ending shortly before reaching We (EAX)
Within 25 miles of Independence. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Independence
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Independence and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 3, 2025 and the most recent on June 3, 2025. It is already counted in the Independence totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Storm survey team has noted damage consistent with a tornado. More information to come. (EAX)
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 Independence
49 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Independence since 1950, across 4 events. 345 injuries have been reported across all events. 1957 was the deadliest year on record near Independence.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which caused 44 fatalities along a 69.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Independence
What the record shows near Independence
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Independence, with 29 of the 135 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 14 so far. The Independence record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Independence, 99 reached EF0 or EF1 and 36 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Independence is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Independence has averaged 2.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 48 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 6, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.