Franklin County, Iowa tornadoes

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29confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: July 28, 2023, 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 Franklin County

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The record

At a glance

Total291950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 29
StrongestF5May 15, 1968
Deaths13whole paths, see note
Injuries462whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 4Jun: 10Jul: 4Aug: 3Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 5JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 10 of 29 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 3: 23 PM: 8: 3: 16 PM: 6: 1: 19 PM: 0: 1: 112 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 5: 0: 2: 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
11
EF1
12
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF5
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

F5, May 15, 1968

13 deaths, 462 injuries Strongest

F5, May 15, 1968

62.1 mile path Longest path

62.1 miles, F5

May 15, 1968, whole path Widest

600 yards, F5

May 15, 1968
Every tornado

All 29 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 28, 2023EF11.82 mi125 yd00
Jul 28, 2023EF12.81 mi120 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF27.49 mi90 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF16.01 mi80 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF122.16 mi140 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF112.96 mi125 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF216.69 mi100 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF12.57 mi175 yd00
Jun 12, 2013EF01.11 mi50 yd00
Jun 12, 2013EF01.26 mi125 yd00
Jun 12, 2013EF13.43 mi75 yd00
Jun 12, 2013EF25.2 mi300 yd00
Jul 16, 2010EF00.58 mi30 yd00
Sep 2, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
Sep 2, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
Sep 2, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
Aug 16, 2004F00.6 mi40 yd00
Jun 6, 1999F111.5 mi40 yd00
Jul 13, 1992F10.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 14, 1991F10.5 mi40 yd00
Jun 28, 1990F39 mi90 yd00
May 25, 1989F01 mi50 yd00
Jun 3, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 26, 1969F12 mi200 yd00
May 15, 1968F562.1 mi600 yd13462
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.