Shelby County, Iowa tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). 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 Shelby County

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The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay10 of 31
StrongestEF3Apr 26, 2024
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 7May: 10Jun: 5Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 4Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 10 of 31 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 33 PM: 1: 3: 26 PM: 4: 8: 39 PM: 0: 1: 212 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

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 41990: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
12
EF1
13
EF2
4
EF3
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

EF3, April 26, 2024

40.27 mile path Longest path

40.27 miles, EF3

April 26, 2024, whole path Widest

1,900 yards, EF3

April 26, 2024
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF00.09 mi40 yd00
May 20, 2024EFU0.42 mi20 yd00
May 6, 2024EF13.98 mi450 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF113.03 mi300 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF29.26 mi200 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF340.27 mi1,900 yd13
Jul 12, 2023EF10.52 mi50 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF110.21 mi150 yd00
Jun 29, 2014EF00.5 mi50 yd00
Mar 22, 2011EF01 mi40 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF00.2 mi80 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF00.39 mi60 yd00
May 22, 2004F02 mi200 yd00
May 8, 2004F18 mi150 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 13, 2000F110.6 mi330 yd00
Oct 6, 1994F12 mi30 yd00
Jul 8, 1993F11.3 mi60 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F00.2 mi23 yd00
Apr 26, 1991F12 mi47 yd00
Sep 7, 1989F15 mi50 yd00
Sep 7, 1989F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 27, 1989F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 27, 1989F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 26, 1987F136 mi50 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.