# List of Iowa tornadoes

The U.S state of Iowa experiences multiple tornadoes every year. There have been at least 3,502 recorded tornadoes since 1876. At least 6,447 people have been injured, and 933 people have died due to these tornadoes.

## Climatology

Although tornadoes can happen at any time of the year, the most popular time for tornadoes to form in Iowa is from April through June. Iowa is in the central plains, where the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Appalachian Mountains to the east meet. This unique geography creates a funnelling effect, channelling warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada. These are the most ideal conditions for tornadoes to form with Iowa being caught inside of tornado alley, along with other great plains states, greatly increasing the chances of a tornado to form in Iowa.
Most active months for tornadoes in Iowa from 1980-2019 :
| Date | Tornadoes |
| May 2004 | 57 |
| June 1984 | 48 |
| June 2008 | 48 |
| April 2001 | 40 |
| June 1990 | 36 |
| August 2014 | 36 |
| May 1998 | 34 |
| June 2001 | 34 |
| June 2014 | 31 |
| June 2004 | 28 |
Most tornadoes in a day in Iowa from 1980-2019 :
| Date | Tornadoes |
| August 31, 2014 | 35 |
| April 11, 2001 | 28 |
| June 11, 2004 | 24 |
| May 8, 1988 | 22 |
| June 7, 1984 | 21 |
| July 19, 2018 | 21 |
| May 22, 2004 | 20 |
| April 9, 2011 | 20 |
| Nov 11, 2015 | 19 |
| June 1, 2001 | 18 |
| March 6, 2017 | 18 |

## Intense tornadoes
### Pre-1900

| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total | Total |
| 11 | 0 | 1 | 67 | 45 | 27 | 4 | 155 |
| Deaths: >540 | Deaths: >540 | Deaths: >540 | Deaths: >540 | Injuries: >2,186 | Injuries: >2,186 | Injuries: >2,186 | Injuries: >2,186 |
A total of 155 recorded tornadoes touched down in Iowa before 1900. At least 540 people died and 2,186 people were injured due to these tornadoes before 1950. There have been 37 intense tornadoes with a rating of F4+, or 2 or more fatalities, the deadliest of which being on June 3, 1860, in Camanche, killing 92. This time period for tornadoes in Iowa is the deadliest period of tornadoes in Iowa, with each recorded tornado killing on average 3.48 people. The first use of a tornado warning in the United States wasn't until March 25, 1948. This caused tornadoes before the 1950's to be more dangerous because people wouldn't realize a tornado would be headed right towards them.

#### Camanche Tornado

On June 3, 1860, an F4 tornado touched down north of Bennett, moving across eastern Iowa, killing 20 people in rural Clinton County. It then ripped through Camanche, destroying almost every building in the town and killing 41. A raft carrying 26 was hit by the tornado and flipped, killing all but 3 men. The tornado had a damage path of 1,000 yds (914,4 m) wide, and 81.2 mi (130,68 km) long.

#### Grinnell Tornado

On June 17, 1882, an F5 tornado touched down in Cooper. It travelled across central Iowa, killing a total of 68 people. 10 people died near Rippey, 7 people died in Jasper County, 39 in Grinnell and 10 in Malcolm. The tornado had a damage path of 109.4 mi (176.06 km) long and 800 yds (731.52 m) wide.

#### Pomeroy Tornado

On July 6, 1893, an F5 tornado touched down Northwest of Quimby, moving towards the town of Pomeroy. With a damage path 500 yards (460 m) wide and 55 miles (89 km) long, the tornado destroyed about 80% of the homes in Pomeroy. The tornado killed 71 people and injured 200.
Intense (F4+ or 2 or more fatalities) tornadoes in Iowa, pre–1900 :
| F# | Date | Deaths | Injuries | Start Location | County | Path length | Max width |
| F4‡† | June 3, 1860 | 92 | 200 | N of Bennett | Cedar | 81.2 mi (130.68 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |
| F4 | June 18, 1871 | 0 | 5 | S of Superior | Dickinson | Unknown | Unknown |
| F3 | June 18, 1871 | 2 | 20 | Glidden | Carroll | 11.6 mi (18.67 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | May 22, 1873 | 8 | 30 | S of Hayesville | Keokuk | 41.7 mi (67.1 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F3 | April 11, 1876 | 3 | 30 | SE of Eagle Grove | Wright | 27.5 mi (44.26 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | April 18, 1878 | 1 | 2 | W of Atlantic | Cass | Unknown | Unknown |
| F4 | April 21, 1878 | 17 | 29 | S of Charter Oak | Crawford | 69.1 mi (111.21 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F4 | April 21, 1878 | 10 | 40 | SW of Battle Creek | Ida | 32.5 mi (52.3 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F3 | June 1, 1878 | 2 | 7 | SW of Adair | Adair, Guthrie | 12.1 mi (19.47 km) | Unknown |
| F3 | June 1, 1878 | 2 | 7 | E of Marble Rock | Floyd | Unknown | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | June 1, 1878 | 3 | Unknown | Rockwell | Cerro Gordo | Unknown | Unknown |
| F4 | July 2, 1879 | 2 | 0 | S of Carnes | Sioux | 4.6 mi (7.4 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | June 9, 1880 | 7 | 20 | SW of Macedonia | Pottawattamie | 15.1 mi (24.3 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F4 | June 11, 1881 | 2 | 6 | S of Norwalk | Warren | 30.1 mi (48.44 km) | 300 yds (274.32 m) |
| F4 | June 28, 1881 | 3 | 20 | N of Quimby | Cherokee | 10 mi (16.09 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | June 17, 1882 | 1 | 5 | W of Ogden | Boone | 33 mi (53.1 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F5 | June 17, 1882 | 68 | 300 | Cooper | Greene | 109.4 mi (176.06 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F4 | June 21, 1882 | 5 | 50 | NW of Primghar | O'Brien | 21.4 mi (34.44 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F4 | April 21, 1883 | 2 | 10 | N of Woodbine | Harrison | 10.1 mi (16.25 km) | 150 yds (137.16 m) |
| F4 | June 12, 1885 | 3 | 10 | S of Bloomfield | Davis | 10.1 mi (16.25 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F4 | April 14, 1886 | 3 | 18 | S of Griswold | Cass | 54.5 mi (87.71 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F5 | July 6, 1893 | 71 | 200 | NW of Quimby | Cherokee | 57.6 mi (92.7 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F4 | May 5, 1894 | 1 | 5 | N of Walnut City | Appanoose | 32.7 mi (52.6 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F3 | September 21, 1894 | 3 | Unknown | S of Emmetsburg | Palo Alto | 12.6 mi (20.28 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | September 21, 1894 | 25 | 60 | N of Wesley | Kossuth | 39.6 mi (63.73 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |
| F4 | September 21, 1894 | 5 | 20 | Osage | Mitchell | 25.3 mi (40.72 km) | Unknown |
| F4‡ | September 21, 1894 | 17 | 60 | SW of Rock Falls | Cerro Gordo | 59.9 mi (96.4 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F5 | September 21, 1894 | 14 | 100 | N of Whittemore | Kossuth | 50.6 mi (81.43 km) | 1500 yds (1371.6 m) |
| F5 | May 3, 1895 | 9 | 35 | N of Ireton | Sioux | 13.1 mi (21.08 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |
| F4 | May 24, 1896 | 21 | 60 | SE of Polk City | Polk | 28.1 mi (45.22 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F4 | April 30, 1898 | 2 | 1 | NW of Granville | Sioux | 15 mi (24.14 km) | 300 yds (274.32 m) |
| F3 | April 30, 1898 | 2 | Unknown | NW of Laurens | Pocahontas | 7.9 mi (12.71 km) | Unknown |
| F4‡ | May 18, 1898 | 28 | 150 | Stanwood | Cedar | 86.7 mi (139.53 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |
| F4 | July 27, 1898 | 2 | 5 | NW of Hastings | Mills | 15.2 mi (24.46 km) | 150 yds (137.16 m) |
| F4 | April 26, 1899 | 1 | 10 | S of Soldier | Monona | 11 mi (17.7 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | May 16, 1899 | 4 | 14 | S of Edgewood | Clayton, Delaware | 10.8 mi (17.38 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F4‡ | June 11, 1899 | 5 | 2 | NE of Homer, Nebraska | Woodbury | 13.1 mi (21.08 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |

### 1900-1949

| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total | Total |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 262 | 54 | 33 | 1 | 352 |
| Deaths: >292 | Deaths: >292 | Deaths: >292 | Deaths: >292 | Injuries: >1,861 | Injuries: >1,861 | Injuries: >1,861 | Injuries: >1,861 |
A total of 352 tornadoes touched down in Iowa between 1900 and 1949. At least 292 people died and 1,861 people were injured. There were 43 intense F4+, or 2 or more fatalities, tornadoes, the deadliest of these tornadoes would be the 1913 Easter tornado that hit Omaha, Nebraska, making its way over the border into Iowa, killing a total of 103 people, and injuring 350 others.

#### Omaha Easter Sunday Tornado

An F4 tornado touched down in La Vista, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, traveling through the city of Omaha and crossing the border into Iowa. In total, 103 people died, 9 of which being in Iowa. The tornado had a damage path of 40.3 mi (64.86 km) long and 400 yds (365.76 m) wide.

#### Crawford County Tornado

On May 21, 1918, an F5 tornado touched down in Crawford County, moving across the county and into Greene County as well. According to witnesses, twenty or more farms were destroyed and a couple riding in a buggy north of Churdan got caught by the tornado and died. Mattresses were carried two miles away and farms and homes were wiped completely off their foundations.
Intense (F4+ or 2 or more fatalities) tornadoes in Iowa, 1900-1949 :
| F# | Date | Deaths | Injuries | Start Location | County | Path length | Max width |
| F3 | September 25, 1900 | 2 | 11 | SW of Haverhill | Marshall | 7.5 mi (12.07 km) | 70 yds (64 km) |
| F2 | May 26, 1903 | 2 | 11 | W of Eddyville | Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello | 1.7 mi (2.74 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F3 | May 26, 1903 | 2 | Unknown | Des Moines | Polk | 4.6 mi (7.4 km) | Unknown |
| F4‡ | March 28, 1907 | 0 | 5 | NE of Elmo, Missouri | Page | 15.5 mi (24.94 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | August 6, 1907 | 3 | 10 | W of Lake Mills | Winnebago | 12.2 mi (19.63 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F4‡ | May 12, 1908 | 0 | 20 | Watson, Missouri | Page | 33.9 mi (54.56 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4‡ | March 23, 1913 | 25 | 75 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Pottawattamie | 48.4 mi (77.89 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4‡† | March 23, 1913 | 103 | 350 | La Vista, Nebraska | Pottawattamie | 40.3 mi (64.86 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4‡ | March 23, 1913 | 22 | 50 | SE of Mead, Nebraska | Harrison | 56.6 mi (91.09 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F4‡ | March 23, 1913 | 18 | 100 | S of Douglas, Nebraska | Mills | 67.7 mi (108.95 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F3 | June 5, 1914 | 3 | 20 | E of Archer | O"Brien | 11.1 mi (17.86 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F4 | June 12, 1915 | 0 | 1 | S of West Union | Fayette | 13.5 mi (21.73 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4‡ | June 12, 1915 | 9 | 50 | S of Elon | Allamakee | 30.4 mi (48.92 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | May 9, 1918 | 7 | 15 | SW of Nashua | Chickasaw, Floyd | 50 mi (80.47 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F2 | May 19, 1918 | 2 | 2 | Davenport | Scott | 2.2 mi ( 3.54 km) | Unknown |
| F3 | May 21, 1918 | 2 | 15 | S of Glidden | Carroll | 31.9 mi (51.34 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F4‡ | May 21, 1918 | 9 | 70 | N of Berkley | Boone | 29.5 mi (47.48 km) | 1600 yds (1463.04 m) |
| F4 | May 21, 1918 | 8 | 100 | N of Wood | Clayton | 80.1 mi (128.9 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F5 | May 21, 1918 | 4 | 30 | E of Denison | Crawford | 42 mi (67.59 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F4 | July 1, 1920 | 0 | 4 | SW of Carbon | Adams | 19.8 mi (31.87 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F4 | June 2, 1925 | 3 | 5 | NW of Anita | Cass | 13.8 mi (22.2 km) | 250 yds (228.6 m) |
| F4 | June 2, 1925 | 0 | 3 | W of Ticonic | Monona | 27.6 mi (44.42 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | June 3, 1925 | 1 | 20 | N of Neola | Pottawattamie | 9.7 mi (15.61 km) | 1500 yds (1371.6 m) |
| F4 | June 3, 1925 | 0 | 10 | N of Neola | Pottawattamie | 6.9 mi (11.1 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | June 16, 1926 | 2 | 24 | SW of Clarinda | Page | 7.9 mi (12.71 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F3 | August 20, 1928 | 2 | 20 | W of Twin Lakes | Calhoun | 6.2 mi (9.98 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | August 20, 1928 | 1 | 8 | SW of Jewell | Hamilton | 10.8 mi (17.38 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4‡ | August 20, 1928 | 6 | 60 | SW of Vinje | Winnebago | 40.3 mi (64.86 km) | Unknown |
| F3 | August 26, 1928 | 4 | 20 | Red Oak | Montgomery | 15 mi (21.14 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4 | May 1, 1930 | 1 | 15 | E of Millerton | Wayne | 17.2 mi (27.68 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4‡ | May 1, 1930 | 4 | 40 | W of Craig, Nebraska | Harrison | 15.5 mi (24.94km) | 600 yds (548.64 m) |
| F2 | September 25, 1930 | 2 | 1 | NW of Keokuk | Lee | 2.1 mi (3.38 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | September 21, 1931 | 2 | 8 | NW of Birmingham | Van Buren | 45.9 mi (73.87 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4 | April 30, 1936 | 2 | 15 | NE of Hartley | O"Brien | 14.8 mi (23.82 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4‡ | April 30, 1936 | 2 | 61 | Estherville | Emmet | 40.2 mi (64.7 km) | 800 yds (731.52 m) |
| F3 | May 18, 1944 | 2 | 12 | White Oak | Polk | 14.9 mi (23.98 km) | 880 yds (804.67 m) |
| F4 | May 19, 1944 | 1 | 9 | W of Fort Dodge | Webster | 6.2 mi (9.98 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | June 16, 1944 | 0 | 1 | Lebanon | Sioux | 8.1 mi (13.04 km) | Unknown |
| F4 | June 16, 1944 | 0 | 2 | Newkirk | Sioux | 10 mi (16.09 km) | Unknown |
| F4‡ | June 9, 1947 | 1 | 2 | SE of Elk Point, South Dakota | Sioux | 34.8 mi (56 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F4 | April 23, 1948 | 5 | 25 | S of Chickasaw | Chickasaw | 7.8 mi (12.55 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F4‡ | June 22, 1948 | 1 | 5 | S of Cook, Nebraska | Fremont | 51 mi (82.08 km) | 300 yds (274.32 m) |
| F4 | June 1, 1949 | 0 | 4 | E of Shenandoah | Page, Fremont | 9.8 mi (15.77 km) | 150 yds (137.16 m) |

### 1950-present

| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total | Total |
| 126 | 1,318 | 971 | 499 | 121 | 49 | 6 | 3,117 |
| Deaths: >101 | Deaths: >101 | Deaths: >101 | Deaths: >101 | Injuries: >2,400 | Injuries: >2,400 | Injuries: >2,400 | Injuries: >2,400 |
A total of 3,117 recorded tornadoes have touched down in Iowa since 1950 causing 101 deaths and injuring 2,400 others. There has been 20 (E)F5 tornadoes, or 2 or more fatalities, the deadliest being the 1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado, killing 13 and injuring 462 others.

#### 1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado

Main article: 1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado
On May 15, 1968, a multi-vortex tornado hit the communities of Hansell, Hampton, Charles City, Elma and Aredale, all located in the state of Iowa. It killed 13, injured 462, and hundreds of buildings were destroyed, primarily in the town of Charles City. Damage estimates were of more than $20 million. All the deaths occurred in Charles City.

#### 2008 Parkersburg-New Hartford tornado

Main Article: 2008 Parkersburg-New Hartford tornado
On the afternoon of May 25, 2008, as part of a large tornado outbreak across the central plains, a large and extremely powerful EF5 wedge tornado devastated the towns of Parkersburg and New Hartford, Iowa. The tornado killed nine people and caused about $75 million in damages across in its approximately 43 mile path across northeast Iowa. The tornado killed 7 in Parkersburg, and 2 in New Hartford.

#### 2024 Greenfield tornado

Main Article: 2024 Greenfield tornado
On the afternoon of May 21, 2024, a violent tornado tracked across southwestern Iowa, devastating the city of Greenfield. The tornado destroyed many structures and wind turbines across its path that stretched through Page, Taylor, Adams, and Adair counties, while also causing more than $31 million in property damage, killing five people and injuring 35 more. All the fatalities happened in the town of Greenfield. A doppler on wheels estimated wind speeds of 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h), making it the third highest winds recorded in a tornado in the United States, before the El Reno tornado, and the Bridge Creek tornado.
Intense (F5 or 2 or more fatalities) tornadoes in Iowa, 1950-present :
| F# | Date | Deaths | Injuries | Start Location | County | Path length | Max width |
| F5 | June 27, 1953 | 1 | 2 | W of Anita | Cass | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| F5 | October 14, 1966 | 6 | 172 | SW of Belmond | Wright | 9.7 mi (15.61 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |
| F3 | April 16, 1967 | 2 | 16 | N of Cantril | Van Buren | 19.4 mi (31.22 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F5 | May 15, 1968 | 13 | 462 | NW of Hansell | Franklin | 62.1 mi (99.94 km) | 600 yds (548.64 m) |
| F5 | May 15, 1968 | 5 | 156 | Oelwein | Fayette | 13.1 mi (21.08 km) | 500 yds (457.2 m) |
| F2 | June 17, 1973 | 2 | 10 | Moville | Woodbury | 2 mi (3.22 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F4 | June 18, 1974 | 2 | 50 | Ankeny | Polk | 15.3 mi (24.62 km) | 400 yds (365.76 m) |
| F5 | June 13, 1976 | 0 | 9 | SW of Luther | Boone | 21.3 mi (34.28 km) | 880 yds (804.67 m) |
| F3 | September 16, 1978 | 6 | 45 | N of Rhodes | Marshall | 31.8 mi (51.18 km) | 200 yds (182.88 m) |
| F3 | June 28, 1979 | 2 | 34 | SW of Bancroft | Kossuth | 15.9 mi (25.59 km) | 300 yds (274.32 m) |
| F4 | June 28, 1979 | 3 | 26 | Palmer | Pocahontas | 14.9 mi (23.98 km) | 33 yds (30.18 m) |
| F3‡ | August 28, 1979 | 2 | 14 | NE of Bartlett | Fremont | 38.3 mi (61.64 km) | 533 yds (487.38 m) |
| F4‡ | June 7, 1984 | 3 | 64 | S of Eagleville, Missouri | Harrison | 134 mi (215.65 km) | 250 yds (228.6 m) |
| F3 | May 30, 1985 | 2 | 27 | N of Volga | Clayton | 34 mi (54,72 km) | 1500 yds (1371.6 m) |
| F3 | May 16, 1999 | 2 | 16 | N of Missouri Valley | Harrison | 7.5 mi (12.07 km) | 440 yds (404.34 m) |
| F2 | April 11, 2001 | 2 | 3 | S of Ottumwa | Wapello | 8.4 mi (13.52 km) | 100 yds (91.44 m) |
| EF5 | May 25, 2008 | 9 | 70 | S of Aplington | Butler | 41 mi (65.98 km) | 2100 yds (1920.24 m) |
| EF3‡ | June 11, 2008 | 4 | 48 | E of Tekamah, Nebraska | Burt | 14.2 mi (22.85 km) | 440 yds (404.34 m) |
| EF1 | April 27, 2014 | 2 | 0 | SW of Hedrick | Keokuk | 45.7 mi (73.55 km) | 1600 yds (1463.04 m) |
| EF4 | March 5, 2022 | 6 | 5 | NW of Macksburg | Madison | 70.57 mi (113.57 km) | 900 yds (822.96 km) |
| EF4 | May 21, 2024 | 5 | 35 | S of Villisca | Montgomery | 44 mi (70.81 km) | 1000 yds (914.4 m) |