Mills County, Iowa tornadoes

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25confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 6, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Mills County

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The record

At a glance

Total251950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 25
StrongestF3Aug 28, 1979
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries17whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 4May: 7Jun: 6Jul: 2Aug: 2Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 7 of 25 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 2: 3: 36 PM: 1: 5: 29 PM: 1: 0: 112 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

20 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11990: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 02020: 0: 2: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
13
EF2
2
EF3
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, August 28, 1979

2 deaths, 14 injuries Strongest

F3, August 28, 1979

38.3 mile path Longest path

38.3 miles, F3

August 28, 1979, whole path Widest

533 yards, F3

August 28, 1979
Every tornado

All 25 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 6, 2024EF15.66 mi250 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF12.7 mi80 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF10.63 mi50 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF19.97 mi100 yd00
Jun 18, 2018EF00.25 mi50 yd00
Jun 16, 2017EF16.65 mi300 yd00
Jun 16, 2017EF213.99 mi250 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF15.13 mi440 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF14.8 mi220 yd00
May 5, 2007EF00.5 mi200 yd00
May 5, 2007EF04 mi80 yd00
Apr 27, 2002F0n/a20 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F12 mi40 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F02 mi40 yd00
Oct 31, 2000F12.5 mi70 yd00
May 16, 1999F02 mi60 yd00
Jul 24, 1993F13.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 4, 1992F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F23 mi73 yd00
Sep 4, 1989F00.4 mi23 yd00
Aug 22, 1988F00.5 mi20 yd00
May 1, 1983F122 mi40 yd03
Aug 28, 1979F338.3 mi533 yd214
May 6, 1971F11 mi100 yd00
May 4, 1950F10.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 10, 20265 NW TaborNot 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.