Delaware County, Iowa tornadoes

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

45 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 11, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list

Every tornado path in the county

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.

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 45
StrongestF4Apr 30, 1954
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries26whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 6Apr: 5May: 9Jun: 9Jul: 8Aug: 5Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 3: 1: 73 PM: 6: 8: 26 PM: 5: 4: 49 PM: 3: 0: 012 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 3: 01990: 2: 5: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 0: 12020: 0: 3: 0: 2: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
12
EF1
14
EF2
10
EF3
4
EF4
3
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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F4, April 30, 1954

80.4 mile path Longest path

80.4 miles, F4

April 30, 1954, whole path Widest

2,200 yards, F2

September 28, 1972

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 11, 2025EF01.68 mi40 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF111.1 mi90 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF14.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.36 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF11.12 mi30 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF11.39 mi40 yd00
Jun 9, 2019EFU7.26 mi10 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF22.5 mi30 yd00
Jul 23, 2016EF10.22 mi10 yd00
Jul 23, 2016EF10.11 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2014EF115.69 mi75 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF112.59 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2009EF121.04 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2008EF18.48 mi250 yd00
May 25, 2008EF331.99 mi1,232 yd03
Mar 31, 2007EF111.85 mi200 yd00
Aug 26, 2004F14.2 mi440 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 10, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F320 mi150 yd00
Jun 19, 1993F39 mi200 yd00
May 14, 1991F117 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1991F00.1 mi17 yd00
Apr 8, 1991F00.5 mi17 yd00
Mar 22, 1991F00.1 mi20 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 11, 20262 SSE GreeleyNot yet rated
Aug 11, 20265 W GreeleyNot 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 counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Delaware 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 12, 2026.