Black Hawk County, Iowa tornadoes

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40confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: March 28, 2020, EFU. 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 Black Hawk County

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The record

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune13 of 40
StrongestEF5May 25, 2008
Deaths12whole paths, see note
Injuries146whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 4May: 12Jun: 13Jul: 3Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 13 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 53 PM: 7: 9: 16 PM: 7: 5: 19 PM: 2: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 1: 01990: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 3: 7: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
8
EF2
7
EF3
3
EF4
1
EF5
1
Unknown
2

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

EF5, May 25, 2008

9 deaths, 70 injuries Strongest

EF5, May 25, 2008

40.97 mile path Longest path

40.97 miles, EF5

May 25, 2008, whole path Widest

2,100 yards, EF5

May 25, 2008
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 28, 2020EFU0.32 mi20 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EF02.06 mi115 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EFU2.32 mi40 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF01.9 mi50 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF03.22 mi80 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF02.07 mi130 yd00
May 25, 2008EF540.97 mi2,100 yd970
Jun 21, 2007EF00.1 mi30 yd00
May 21, 2004F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 18, 2002F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.6 mi35 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.2 mi30 yd00
Apr 23, 2001F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F110 mi50 yd00
May 11, 2000F25 mi150 yd00
May 11, 2000F23.6 mi120 yd00
May 11, 2000F318.6 mi210 yd125
Jun 16, 1992F14.7 mi23 yd00
Jun 27, 1990F00.2 mi27 yd00
May 19, 1990F10.3 mi40 yd00
May 8, 1988F12 mi20 yd00
Jul 18, 1987F10.5 mi20 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.