Wapello County, Iowa tornadoes

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28confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: March 31, 2023, EF3. 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 Wapello County

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The record

At a glance

Total281950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune9 of 28
StrongestF3Apr 8, 1999
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 7May: 4Jun: 9Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 9 of 28 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 3: 3: 33 PM: 2: 2: 96 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 1: 0: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 3: 01990: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 12000: 1: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 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
11
EF1
8
EF2
7
EF3
2

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

F2, April 11, 2001

2 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

F3, April 8, 1999

16 mile path Longest path

71 miles, F2

May 8, 1988, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, EF1

April 27, 2014
Every tornado

All 28 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 31, 2023EF326.09 mi1,000 yd00
Jun 20, 2018EF00.51 mi30 yd00
Jun 20, 2015EF13.57 mi175 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF145.68 mi1,600 yd20
Jun 8, 2008EF12.08 mi100 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F02.5 mi25 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F28.4 mi100 yd23
Jun 1, 2000F110.7 mi50 yd00
Apr 8, 1999F316 mi300 yd00
May 15, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Mar 30, 1998F10.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 2, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 9, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F00.1 mi17 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F26.5 mi53 yd00
Nov 15, 1988F26 mi63 yd00
May 8, 1988F271 mi60 yd00
May 8, 1988F247 mi43 yd00
Apr 14, 1987F01 mi10 yd00
Apr 14, 1987F14 mi10 yd00
Sep 13, 1982F226 mi100 yd00
Mar 28, 1977F10.1 mi30 yd00
Aug 24, 1976F01 mi30 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.