F0/EF0 1 2 3 4 5 · Lines run from where each tornado touched down to where it lifted; dots are short paths. Neighboring counties are outlined.
When tornadoes hit Washington County
May has brought the most, 13 of 39. About 33% touched down between 11 pm and 5 am (Central Standard Time, as the Storm Prediction Center records it).
By decade
More tornadoes in recent decades mostly reflects better detection and reporting (Doppler radar, storm spotters, damage surveys), especially for weak EF0 tornadoes, not necessarily more storms. The 2020s bar covers only 2020 to 2024.
How strong they were
| Rating | Estimated 3-second gust | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | Light damage: 65 to 85 mph (EF scale) | 8 |
| F1 / EF1 | Moderate: 86 to 110 mph | 16 |
| F2 / EF2 | Considerable: 111 to 135 mph | 10 |
| F3 / EF3 | Severe: 136 to 165 mph | 5 |
| F4 / EF4 | Devastating: 166 to 200 mph | 0 |
| F5 / EF5 | Incredible: over 200 mph | 0 |
Tornadoes before February 2007 were rated on the original Fujita (F) scale; since then the National Weather Service uses the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. Wind speeds above are EF-scale estimates from damage, not measurements. See what the EF scale means.
The strongest tornadoes in Washington County
| Date | Rating | Path length | Path width | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2010 | EF3 | 21.1 mi | 500 yd | 4 | 10 |
| June 11, 1970 | F3 | 51.8 mi | 250 yd | 1 | 45 |
| March 30, 2022 | EF3 | 5.2 mi | 350 yd | 7 | |
| April 30, 1954 | F3 | 40.7 mi | 440 yd | 1 | |
| May 4, 1999 | F3 | 38.2 mi | 0 yd | ||
| April 11, 1979 | F2 | 11.1 mi | 200 yd | 4 | |
| March 23, 2016 | EF2 | 11.1 mi | 800 yd | 4 | |
| November 15, 1955 | F2 | 15 mi | 220 yd | 1 | |
| May 5, 1960 | F2 | 16.9 mi | 10 yd | 1 | |
| November 19, 1970 | F2 | 20.3 mi | 300 yd | 1 |
Deaths and injuries are for each tornado’s whole path, which can cross other counties.
The deadliest
The deadliest tornado to touch Washington County was an EF3 on December 31, 2010. It killed 4 people and injured 10 along its 21.1-mile path.
Most recent tornadoes
| Date | Rating | Path length | Path width | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2024 | EF2 | 32.9 mi | 1,200 yd | ||
| October 30, 2024 | EF1 | 3 mi | 200 yd | ||
| May 7, 2024 | EF1 | 2.8 mi | 550 yd | ||
| May 7, 2024 | EF1 | 1.8 mi | 150 yd | ||
| May 7, 2024 | EF2 | 11.7 mi | 800 yd | ||
| November 4, 2022 | EF1 | 6.5 mi | 1,000 yd | ||
| March 30, 2022 | EF3 | 5.2 mi | 350 yd | 7 | |
| October 15, 2021 | EF1 | 7.8 mi | 500 yd |
The official database ends with 2024. For storms since then, see the Storm Prediction Center’s reports and your local National Weather Service office.
FEMA’s tornado risk rating
FEMA’s National Risk Index rates the tornado risk in Washington County as relatively high, with a score of 95 out of 100 compared with every other U.S. county. It estimates about 0.81 tornadoes a year here and an expected annual loss of about $13,614,626 to buildings, people and farming. The index mixes how often tornadoes strike with what is exposed and how well a community can recover, so a busy rural county can rate lower than a less active city.
Neighboring counties
- Benton County, AR: 65 tornadoes
- Crawford County, AR: 38 tornadoes
- Adair County, OK: 34 tornadoes
- Madison County, AR: 25 tornadoes
Staying safe
When a tornado warning is issued, act at once. Go to a basement, storm shelter or safe room. With none, use a small windowless room on the lowest floor, as far from outside walls as you can, and cover your head and neck. Mobile homes and cars are not safe places to ride out a tornado: leave early for a sturdy building or shelter. Read the full tornado safety guide and the National Weather Service advice linked below.
Sources
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center: Severe Weather Database, tornadoes 1950 to 2024 (public domain)
- FEMA National Risk Index, tornado county data (December 2025 release)
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center: The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF scale)
- National Weather Service: Tornado safety
Sources last checked 1 November 2026.