Kingsport, TN Tornado History — 29 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Kingsport, TN had?
Kingsport has had 29 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Kingsport?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Kingsport was an EF1 on May 16, 2023.
When is tornado season in Kingsport?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Kingsport, with 12 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 Kingsport
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.
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 Kingsport
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Kingsport since 1950, across 2 events. 95 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which caused 2 fatalities along a 13.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Kingsport
About Tornadoes in Kingsport
This overview was written August 10, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Severe-weather season reaches Kingsport as winter loosens its grip, with the threat climbing through March, April, and May as Gulf of Mexico moisture streams north into the Tennessee Valley ahead of advancing cold fronts. Set in the Ridge-and-Valley country of northeastern Tennessee along the Holston River, the city occupies terrain that disrupts many approaching storms, yet a well-organized supercell can hold together across the ridges.
The event history maintained by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center shows what that season can deliver. An F2 tornado moved through the area on March 12, 1967, tracking roughly sixteen miles, killing one person and injuring five. On April 28, 2011, during the outbreak that raked the southern Appalachians, an EF3 carved a damage path near the city, killing two people and injuring seventy, while an EF2 touched down the same day. Autumn carries its own risk: an F1 on October 1, 1977, injured ten people along a path stretching past sixteen miles. As recently as May 16, 2023, an EF1 brushed the area.
The rhythm, then, leans hard toward spring, with a secondary window in fall as vigorous fronts return and quieter stretches in midwinter and high summer. For up-to-date figures, ratings, and the full event list, the maps and tables elsewhere on this page draw on live data and update as new storm surveys arrive.