Pocahontas County, Iowa tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 31, 2024, EFU. 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 Pocahontas County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay16 of 49
StrongestF4Jun 28, 1979
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries44whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 14May: 16Jun: 12Jul: 2Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 16 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 4: 73 PM: 2: 3: 136 PM: 4: 3: 59 PM: 2: 2: 012 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

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 1: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 2: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 6: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 3: 1: 6: 4: 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
11
EF1
14
EF2
9
EF3
2
EF4
3
Unknown
10

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 28, 1979

3 deaths, 26 injuries Strongest

F4, June 28, 1979

14.9 mile path Longest path

49.2 miles, F2

June 7, 1953, whole path Widest

2,640 yards, EF3

April 9, 2011
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 31, 2024EFU0.42 mi30 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EF00.64 mi40 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EFU1.44 mi75 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EF01.66 mi75 yd00
Jun 24, 2023EF02.77 mi80 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU0.63 mi30 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU0.48 mi30 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU0.47 mi40 yd00
May 13, 2023EF01.35 mi50 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU1.17 mi30 yd00
Apr 12, 2022EF27.17 mi450 yd01
Dec 15, 2021EFU7.1 mi80 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EFU1.04 mi40 yd00
Aug 20, 2021EFU1.18 mi20 yd00
May 29, 2019EFU0.22 mi40 yd00
May 28, 2018EF00.87 mi30 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF06.09 mi250 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF12.42 mi250 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF20.9 mi146 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF11.64 mi100 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF11.58 mi100 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF43.2 mi587 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF329.37 mi2,640 yd00
Jul 22, 2010EF12.62 mi250 yd00
May 21, 2004F212.5 mi880 yd015
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20262 SSE HavelockNot 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.