Pottawattamie County, Iowa tornadoes

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56confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1970). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EF0. 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 Pottawattamie County

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The record

At a glance

Total561950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthMay17 of 56
StrongestF4Jun 26, 1976
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries99whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

170 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 12May: 17Jun: 12Jul: 7Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 17 of 56 tornadoes.

By time of day

150 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 2: 3: 33 PM: 7: 15: 46 PM: 5: 3: 39 PM: 0: 2: 412 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 4: 4: 11990: 2: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 32000: 2: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 3: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 4: 1: 3: 6: 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
20
EF1
19
EF2
11
EF3
4
EF4
1
Unknown
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

EF3, April 26, 2024

1 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

F4, June 26, 1976

5.1 mile path Longest path

40.27 miles, EF3

April 26, 2024, whole path Widest

1,900 yards, EF3

April 26, 2024
Every tornado

All 56 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF00.25 mi60 yd00
May 6, 2024EF13.98 mi450 yd00
May 6, 2024EF11.53 mi200 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF340.27 mi1,900 yd13
Apr 26, 2024EF313.31 mi900 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF319.06 mi550 yd00
Jul 12, 2023EF00.92 mi40 yd00
Jul 12, 2023EF11.51 mi40 yd00
Apr 19, 2023EFU0.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 2022EF02.38 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF19.57 mi50 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF26.7 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF22.3 mi50 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF00.9 mi30 yd00
Aug 4, 2016EF00.58 mi15 yd00
Jun 29, 2016EF04.18 mi25 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF110.21 mi150 yd00
Jun 3, 2014EF22.81 mi680 yd00
Apr 14, 2012EF11.04 mi440 yd00
Jun 20, 2008EF00.32 mi40 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF00.78 mi20 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF12.35 mi40 yd00
May 5, 2007EF13.64 mi200 yd00
May 5, 2007EF26.8 mi400 yd00
May 8, 2004F18 mi150 yd00
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.