Elkhart County, Indiana tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 15, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Elkhart County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune8 of 35
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths82whole paths, see note
Injuries751whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Elkhart County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 6May: 2Jun: 8Jul: 6Aug: 6Sep: 1Oct: 6Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 8 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 2: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 3: 3: 13 PM: 3: 3: 56 PM: 3: 5: 19 PM: 0: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 7: 1: 2: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 5: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
11
EF1
11
EF2
7
EF3
3
EF4
3

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, April 11, 1965

36 deaths, 321 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

37 mile path Longest path

37 miles, F4

April 11, 1965, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F2

October 24, 2001
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 15, 2024EF11.19 mi250 yd00
Aug 20, 2016EF00.06 mi50 yd00
Sep 27, 2011EF00.57 mi30 yd00
Jun 23, 2010EF01.85 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 2010EF00.53 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2010EF13.45 mi100 yd00
Jun 23, 2010EF10.98 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 2010EF111.85 mi50 yd00
Oct 18, 2007EF320.33 mi880 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F15.4 mi50 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F24.6 mi1,320 yd03
Aug 25, 1998F10.5 mi100 yd00
Aug 25, 1998F226 mi300 yd00
Aug 3, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 16, 1988F26 mi40 yd00
Jul 5, 1980F20.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 24, 1967F10.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 24, 1967F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 5, 1966F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 8, 1965F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 5, 1965F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 26, 1965F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 1965F437 mi333 yd36321
Apr 11, 1965F421.6 mi177 yd541
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20262 NE ElkhartNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.