Decatur County, Iowa tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Decatur County...

19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: March 5, 2022, EFU. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Decatur County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay5 of 19
StrongestF4Jun 7, 1984
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries66whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 2May: 5Jun: 4Jul: 4Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 5 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 2: 0: 46 PM: 2: 1: 29 PM: 3: 0: 112 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 4: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
7
EF1
3
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
3
Unknown
1

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, June 7, 1984

3 deaths, 64 injuries Strongest

F4, June 7, 1984

134 mile path Longest path

134 miles, F4

June 7, 1984, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F4

May 24, 1989
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 5, 2022EFU2.07 mi60 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF219.42 mi300 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF111.17 mi200 yd00
Apr 8, 2001F00.3 mi30 yd00
May 27, 1996F00.1 mi25 yd00
May 27, 1995F330.4 mi150 yd00
May 24, 1989F449 mi1,760 yd00
Jul 13, 1986F10.5 mi40 yd00
Jul 8, 1986F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 8, 1986F00.2 mi10 yd00
May 10, 1986F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F4134 mi250 yd364
Jun 2, 1980F431.2 mi140 yd00
May 7, 1975F20.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 20, 1964F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 1964F21 mi200 yd00
Apr 23, 1961F268.6 mi600 yd02
Jun 22, 1958F11 mi50 yd00
Jul 21, 1957F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 10, 20263 SSE Garden GroveNot yet rated
Apr 23, 2026WeldonNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Decatur County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

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