Butler storm history
Storm events recorded in Butler, Missouri between 1950 and 2025.
1,005
Total events
47
Tornadoes
142
Hail
116
Floods
16
Deaths
$108.8M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The tornado crossed into Butler County in the Mark Twain National Forest, then proceded east-southeast, passing 6 to 7 miles north of Poplar Bluff. An upscale residential subdivision beyond the northern outskirts of Poplar Bluff, just off U.S. Route 67, received extensive damage.…
An EF-3 tornado started along County Road 462 southeast of Stringtown and moved east northeast along County Road 450 all the way into Poplar Bluff. On the way it damaged numerous trees and did significant damage to several homes. Right as it crossed U.S. 67 on the northwest side …
Major flooding occurred on the Black River as the month began. At the Poplar Bluff river gage, the river crested at 21.96 feet late on the morning of the 1st. This crest was only a few inches below the record crest of 22.15 feet, set in March of 2008. The main levee from Poplar B…
The Black River rose rapidly above flood stage on the 30th, climbing about 14 feet in 18 hours. The flooding reached the major category as the month was closing out. A drowning occurred when a vehicle was swept off a county road outside of Harviell. The drowning victim was a 69-y…
Moderate flooding occurred along the Black River, resulting in one fatality and some flooded homes. Several homes were evacuated, and there was considerable flooding of streets and highways. In Poplar Bluff, portions of several streets were flooded with several feet of water, mai…
Flash flooding of drainage ditch number 1 for the Black River apparently caused a drowning fatality. A vehicle travelling along a small farm road parallel to the ditch got stuck in mud. The male victim was located several days later about 400 yards south of his pickup truck and s…
King Creek rose up to the bridge on County Road 421.
Flooding of roads and creeks was fairly widespread. Numerous county roads were under water. A portion of Highway N was closed. Several water rescues were conducted as motorists drove into flooded areas. Three teenagers drowned after their vehicle went into a flooded creek followi…
A moving vehicle along Highway 53 was destroyed by a very large oak tree that fell on it. Both occupants of the vehicle were killed, probably on impact. A small fire started in the engine compartment after emergency responders arrived. A 40-foot semi-trailer was overturned in the…
An EF-4 tornado that started in Arkansas lifted northeast through Ripley County and into Butler County just north of U.S. 160 east of Fairdealing. The tornado produced EF-2 damage as it briefly moved east, paralleling U.S. 160, and then turned northeast, dissipating just south of…
Major flooding occurred on the Black River. The river crested at 21.41 feet at Poplar Bluff, which was the third highest crest on record. The record crest was set only a few years earlier in 2008. The main levee from Poplar Bluff to the Qulin area was overtopped in more than thre…
Record flooding of the Black River occurred. At the Poplar Bluff gage, the river crested at 22.15 feet on March 19 at 4:30 P.M. CDT. The previous record crest was 21.68 feet in December of 1982. Flood stage there is 16 feet, and major flooding begins at 21 feet. Hundreds of homes…
Historic flooding struck much of Butler County. At least 1,000 people in the county were displaced from their homes by flooding. U.S. Coast Guard boats and helicopters from as far away as New Orleans assisted in evacuation efforts. The helicopters airlifted 37 people and six dogs…
A tornado touched down 5 miles west of Poplar Bluff destroying five houses and two mobile homes. Several minor injuries were reported. Reported by the Missouri Highway Patrol and Butler County officials.
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Drought Drought
Hail Hail
Hail measured to quarter size was reported south of Qulin in extreme southeast Butler County. Time estimated from radar.
Drought Drought
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A garage door was blown in at a business on South Westwood in Poplar Bluff.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Straight-line winds brought down portions of fences, damaged playsets, and caused some shingle damage on homes near Township Line Rd/CR-467.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat Heat
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Extreme heat continued from mid-July. Heat indices only reached heat advisory duration criteria July 26th, 27th, and 30th.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Extreme heat continued into late July.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A photo was shared of a tropical funnel occurring with a thunderstorm over Neelyville.
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Flood Flood
Heavy downpours in Poplar Bluff produced some ponding on roadways and filled ditches. Rainfall rates peaked at approximately half to three quarters of an inch in 15 minutes, but hourly rainfall totals were only around an inch, thereby avoiding worse flooding issues.
Hail Hail
Golf ball size hail was estimated north of Neelyville while emergency management reported a picture of hail measured at two inches from the northeast of Neelyville.
Hail Hail
Hail was estimated at 1-2 inches with wind gusts up to 50 mph in Neelyville.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet site UP918 near Junland.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were downed by straight-line winds in Qulin. The highest measured gust in the area was 55mph, measured by a spotter.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
A report of tree limbs down and some shingles blown off a building was reported south of Neelyville with winds estimated at 50mph. The Poplar Bluff ASOS reported wind gusts to 44mph.
Dense Fog Dense Fog
Tornado EF0 Tornado
An EF-1 tornado began in Ripley County two miles east northeast of Oxly and moved eastward crossing into Butler County just north of the Little Black River. It caused EF-0 damage along its path in Butler County. It caused damage to the roof of a mobile home and shingle damage to …
Hail Hail
Baseball size hail fell just northwest and north of Qulin.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
High Wind High Wind
Around 1600CST, strong winds blew down a power pole in the northwest part of the county. The fallen power lines sparked a brush fire.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 36 | 3 |
| 2024 | 37 | 2 |
| 2023 | 31 | 0 |
| 2022 | 35 | 1 |
| 2021 | 29 | 1 |
| 2020 | 41 | 1 |
| 2019 | 40 | 0 |
| 2018 | 43 | 1 |
| 2017 | 37 | 3 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 | 32 | 2 |
| 2013 | 28 | 4 |
| 2012 | 42 | 2 |
| 2011 | 60 | 3 |
| 2010 | 34 | 2 |
| 2009 | 37 | 0 |
| 2008 | 40 | 2 |
| 2007 | 38 | 0 |
| 2006 | 35 | 1 |
| 2005 | 19 | 0 |
| 2004 | 17 | 0 |
| 2003 | 24 | 0 |
| 2002 | 24 | 2 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 21 | 1 |
| 1998 | 24 | 0 |
| 1997 | 11 | 0 |
| 1996 | 20 | 2 |
| 1995 | 3 | 1 |
| 1994 | 7 | 1 |
| 1993 | 4 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 4 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 1 |
| 1980 | 3 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | 2 | 2 |
| 1975 | 6 | 1 |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 |
| 1973 | 8 | 3 |
| 1972 | 5 | 0 |
| 1971 | 5 | 0 |
| 1970 | 4 | 2 |
| 1968 | 2 | 1 |
| 1967 | 2 | 0 |
| 1964 | 2 | 0 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 |