Tornadoes of 1884

This pages documents the tornadoes of 1884.

January
One tornado was reported to have touched down in January.

February
At least 51 tornadoes touched down in February.

February 19-20
Among largest known outbreaks ever recorded. Produced violent and killer tornadoes across a large portion of the Southeastern United States, killing well over 170 people. Long-track F4 tornado moved through Alabama and Georgia, killing 30 people. Another F4—the deadliest in North Carolina history—hit Rockingham, North Carolina, and killed 23.

March
At least 36 tornadoes touched down in March.

March 11
At least seven tornadoes touched down in a localized outbreak in Mississippi and Alabama.

March 24-25
At least 29 tornadoes touched down in a widespread outbreak that occurred in the Southeast and Ohio Valley, killing 32 people.

April
At least 16 tornadoes touched down in April.

April 1
An F5 tornado touched down in Oakville, Indiana, with numerous farms "vanishing away". The tornado was one of the strongest at the time until the 1950s. The tornado is one of the strongest in the state of Indiana. Five other tornadoes were confirmed across region.

May
At least 3 tornadoes touched down in May.

June
At least 1 tornado touched down in June.

July
At least 5 tornadoes touched down in July.

August
At least 8 tornadoes touched down in August.

August 28
A tornado killed four people near Howard, South Dakota. This is one of the earliest tornadoes to be photographed.

September
At least 6 tornadoes touched down in September.

October
At least 1 tornado touched down in October.

November
At least 1 tornado touched down in November.

December
At least 2 tornadoes touched down in December.