Polk County, Iowa tornadoes

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70confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: July 15, 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 Polk County

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The record

At a glance

Total701950 to 2025
Per year0.9average since 1950
Peak monthMay22 of 70
StrongestEF4Mar 5, 2022
Deaths8whole paths, see note
Injuries161whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

220 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 11May: 22Jun: 14Jul: 10Aug: 1Sep: 5Oct: 2Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 22 of 70 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 3: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 3: 3: 43 PM: 10: 9: 106 PM: 5: 9: 39 PM: 3: 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

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 21960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 2: 3: 4: 1: 6: 1: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 22000: 3: 3: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 12020: 1: 0: 4: 0: 7: 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
34
EF1
16
EF2
14
EF4
3
Unknown
3

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

EF4, March 5, 2022

6 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

EF4, March 5, 2022

70.57 mile path Longest path

116 miles, F2

June 7, 1953, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF2

May 21, 2024
Every tornado

All 70 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 15, 2024EF16.88 mi300 yd00
Jun 25, 2024EFU0.11 mi30 yd00
May 24, 2024EF01.52 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EF03.2 mi100 yd00
May 24, 2024EF09.17 mi80 yd00
May 21, 2024EF240.84 mi1,000 yd04
Apr 26, 2024EF27.61 mi150 yd01
Apr 23, 2022EF02.43 mi75 yd00
Apr 23, 2022EFU3.93 mi60 yd00
Apr 23, 2022EF19.09 mi80 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF470.57 mi900 yd65
May 25, 2020EF11.56 mi50 yd00
Sep 21, 2019EFU1.59 mi25 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF22.95 mi100 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF23.68 mi130 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF00.88 mi50 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF02.59 mi150 yd00
May 19, 2013EF14.71 mi150 yd00
Jul 27, 2008EF10.29 mi100 yd00
Oct 2, 2007EF10.44 mi20 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
Sep 5, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
May 22, 2004F02 mi50 yd00
Apr 18, 2002F18.5 mi60 yd00
Apr 18, 2002F00.3 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 23, 20264 S MitchellvilleNot 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.

Cities

Cities in Polk County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.