Hamilton County, Iowa tornadoes

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56confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 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 Hamilton County

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The record

At a glance

Total561950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthJune14 of 56
StrongestF4May 24, 1989
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries13whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 3May: 7Jun: 14Jul: 9Aug: 11Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 3Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 14 of 56 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 2: 33 PM: 6: 4: 86 PM: 8: 12: 59 PM: 4: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

110 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 31980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 21990: 3: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22000: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 5: 0: 1: 1: 22010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 6: 0: 0: 2: 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
28
EF1
18
EF2
8
EF3
1
EF4
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

F3, November 12, 2005

1 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

F4, May 24, 1989

66 mile path Longest path

66 miles, F4

May 24, 1989, whole path Widest

350 yards, F2

June 28, 1979
Every tornado

All 56 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF12.87 mi75 yd00
Apr 7, 2024EF10.65 mi70 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF07.63 mi80 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF08.79 mi70 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF212.1 mi100 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF216.25 mi125 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF18.87 mi160 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF08.85 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF02.67 mi60 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF12.63 mi150 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF01.17 mi60 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF04.6 mi120 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF01.51 mi75 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF05.24 mi65 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF14.96 mi150 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF03.86 mi240 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF05.57 mi110 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF14.62 mi205 yd00
Jul 6, 2014EF00.55 mi25 yd00
Jun 29, 2014EF01.99 mi40 yd00
Jun 21, 2009EF00.53 mi30 yd00
Jun 21, 2009EF01.35 mi30 yd00
Apr 24, 2008EF01.68 mi50 yd00
Jun 1, 2007EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Nov 12, 2005F01.5 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 20, 20264 S KamrarNot yet rated
Jul 20, 20261 SSE Webster CityNot 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

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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.