Tornado Alerts Near Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Cape Girardeau

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Cape Girardeau area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity levelHigh

Average per year14.2 tornados

Peak season monthMay

Total on record708 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Cape Girardeau

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF0	Light damage	1.3 mi × 65 yd	None	48 mi	Jun 7, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	4.9 mi × 300 yd	None	81 mi	Jun 7, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	6.8 mi × 300 yd	None	106 mi	Jun 4, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	1.8 mi × 50 yd	None	27 mi	May 20, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	1.7 mi × 150 yd	None	1 mi	May 20, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 25 yd	None	57 mi	May 19, 2025
EF0	Light damage	1.3 mi × 25 yd	None	64 mi	May 19, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	4.2 mi × 500 yd	None	63 mi	May 19, 2025
EF0	Light damage	2.2 mi × 140 yd	None	86 mi	May 19, 2025
EF0	Light damage	1.8 mi × 50 yd	None	80 mi	May 19, 2025

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Cape Girardeau over 49 years

708

Total tornados on record

14.2

Average per year

EF4

Strongest recorded

May

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

290

EF1

282

EF2

94

EF3

35

EF4

7

EF5

0

Yearly Tornado Count

19762025

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF4WILLIAMSON, ILMay 29, 1982

17 mi path10 deaths181 injured

EF4WASHINGTON, ILNov 17, 2013

10.6 mi path2 deaths2 injured

EF4PERRY, MIFeb 28, 2017

17.4 mi path1 deaths12 injured

EF4WILLIAMSON, ILMay 16, 2025

16.3 mi path7 injured

EF4ST. LOUIS, MIApr 22, 2011

15.4 mi path5 injured

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Cape Girardeau sees the most tornado activity in May. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

2%

Feb

3%

Mar

7%

Apr

10%

PEAK

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

9%

Sep

7%

Oct

6%

Nov

5%

Dec

3%

Current monthPeak for Cape Girardeau

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Cape Girardeau with live tracking