Benton County, Iowa tornadoes

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48confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 11, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports 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 Benton County

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The record

At a glance

Total481950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJuly12 of 48
StrongestF4Aug 26, 1965
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries42whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 7May: 7Jun: 9Jul: 12Aug: 4Sep: 4Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 12 of 48 tornadoes.

By time of day

110 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 0: 2: 63 PM: 11: 5: 06 PM: 6: 6: 49 PM: 3: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 1: 1: 5: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 3: 1: 3: 02020: 0: 4: 1: 5: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
19
EF1
12
EF2
6
EF3
4
EF4
1
Unknown
6

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, August 26, 1965

1 deaths, 17 injuries Strongest

F4, August 26, 1965

4.7 mile path Longest path

87.7 miles, F3

April 23, 1961, whole path Widest

800 yards, F3

April 23, 1961
Every tornado

All 48 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 11, 2025EF14.13 mi250 yd00
Jul 11, 2025EF13.8 mi20 yd00
Sep 26, 2023EFU0.1 mi20 yd00
Sep 22, 2023EFU0.31 mi20 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EFU1.35 mi10 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF24.87 mi50 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF21.7 mi50 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF113.98 mi400 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF15.65 mi590 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Sep 3, 2018EF00.01 mi15 yd00
Sep 3, 2018EF00.01 mi15 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF00.02 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 2016EF23.99 mi75 yd04
Jul 17, 2016EF21.59 mi100 yd05
Jun 14, 2016EF00.17 mi10 yd00
Jul 6, 2014EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF10.43 mi75 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF00.07 mi30 yd00
Jul 2, 2008EF11.54 mi75 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F04.8 mi150 yd00
May 30, 2004F00.2 mi40 yd00
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.