Tahlequah, OK Tornado History — 153 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Tahlequah, OK had?
Tahlequah has had 153 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 9 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Tahlequah?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Tahlequah was an EF1 on June 17, 2025.
When is tornado season in Tahlequah?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Tahlequah, with 62 on record. April through June account for 115 of the 153 tornadoes on record near Tahlequah.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Tahlequah
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 76 total, averaging 3.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Tahlequah 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
A tornado uprooted numerous trees and damaged outbuildings. It continued into Washington County AR to near Lincoln. (TSA)
A tornado uprooted numerous trees... snapped a few trees and power poles... and damaged outbuildings. (TSA)
Within 25 miles of Tahlequah. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Tahlequah
6 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Tahlequah and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 19, 2025 and the most recent on June 17, 2025. They are already counted in the Tahlequah totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
A tornado uprooted numerous trees... and destroyed an outbuilding. Based on this damage... it was rated EF1. (TSA)
A tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees... some of which fell onto homes. Based on this damage... it was rated EF1. (TSA)
TDS observed on INX radar at reported time. (TSA)
Tornado debris signature. (TSA)
Tornado debris signature. (TSA)
A tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees... and destroyed an outbuilding. Based on this damage... it will be rated EF-1. (TSA)
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 Tahlequah
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Tahlequah since 1950, across 4 events. 103 injuries have been reported across all events. 2010 was the deadliest year on record near Tahlequah.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on December 31, 2010, which caused 4 fatalities along a 21.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Tahlequah
What the record shows near Tahlequah
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Tahlequah, with 45 of the 153 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 25 so far. The Tahlequah record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Tahlequah, 117 reached EF0 or EF1 and 32 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Tahlequah is rated EF3, of which 9 are logged. A further 4 near Tahlequah are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Tahlequah has averaged 3.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 76 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 14, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.