Story County, Iowa tornadoes

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66confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: July 19, 2025, 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 Story County

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The record

At a glance

Total661950 to 2025
Per year0.9average since 1950
Peak monthJune22 of 66
StrongestF5Jun 13, 1976
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries47whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

220 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 5Apr: 3May: 16Jun: 22Jul: 6Aug: 7Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 4Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 22 of 66 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 1: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 3: 1: 53 PM: 5: 9: 106 PM: 6: 7: 79 PM: 4: 0: 312 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

50 1950: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 21960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 1: 3: 0: 11970: 3: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 2: 2: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 32000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 5: 5: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 3: 4: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
25
EF1
23
EF2
11
EF3
4
EF4
1
EF5
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

F3, May 20, 1953

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F5, June 13, 1976

21.3 mile path Longest path

116.1 miles, F3

May 20, 1953, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF2

May 21, 2024
Every tornado

All 66 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 19, 2025EFU4.45 mi40 yd00
May 21, 2024EF240.84 mi1,000 yd04
Apr 23, 2022EF19.09 mi80 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF02.48 mi40 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF02.79 mi60 yd00
Jul 19, 2018EF02.07 mi40 yd00
May 29, 2018EF00.3 mi30 yd00
Aug 21, 2017EF01.08 mi10 yd00
Aug 21, 2017EF03.28 mi80 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF017.86 mi85 yd00
Jun 7, 2015EF10.92 mi35 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF112.04 mi460 yd00
May 19, 2013EF14.71 mi150 yd00
Jun 8, 2010EF00.24 mi20 yd00
Jun 8, 2010EF00.44 mi20 yd00
Jun 21, 2007EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Nov 12, 2005F18 mi75 yd00
Nov 12, 2005F01.6 mi50 yd00
Nov 12, 2005F212 mi100 yd01
Nov 12, 2005F00.2 mi30 yd00
Sep 8, 2005F10.7 mi75 yd08
Sep 5, 2004F12.7 mi40 yd00
Aug 26, 2004F00.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 26, 2004F00.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 3, 2004F13 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 23, 20262 ENE SlaterNot 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.