Woodbury County, Iowa tornadoes

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57confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 12, 2022, EFU. 2026 so far: 4 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 Woodbury County

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The record

At a glance

Total571950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthJune16 of 57
StrongestF4Jul 28, 1986
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries41whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 4May: 9Jun: 16Jul: 11Aug: 5Sep: 3Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 16 of 57 tornadoes.

By time of day

140 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 2: 4: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 1: 0: 23 PM: 3: 14: 56 PM: 9: 8: 59 PM: 2: 0: 012 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 21970: 0: 1: 2: 2: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 4: 02000: 0: 4: 1: 3: 4: 0: 2: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 4: 1: 0: 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. This year so far: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
28
EF1
14
EF2
8
EF3
3
EF4
2
Unknown
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, June 18, 1973

2 deaths, 10 injuries Strongest

F4, July 28, 1986

52.5 mile path Longest path

67 miles, F3

May 5, 1964, whole path Widest

2,600 yards, EF4

October 4, 2013
Every tornado

All 57 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 12, 2022EFU0.08 mi50 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF14.28 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF28.44 mi100 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF14.56 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EFU0.8 mi20 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF424.7 mi2,600 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF11.17 mi100 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF226.56 mi264 yd02
Jul 6, 2008EF00.33 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF00.86 mi50 yd00
Jul 9, 2006F01 mi100 yd00
Mar 30, 2006F00.5 mi100 yd00
Sep 5, 2004F012 mi100 yd00
May 28, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 28, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 18, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 20, 2003F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 2003F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 9, 2003F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 2002F05 mi100 yd00
Aug 17, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 17, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 17, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 2001F03 mi100 yd00
Jul 9, 1998F00.1 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 1, 20261 SW OtoNot yet rated
May 22, 20263 NNE OtoNot yet rated
May 17, 20263 NE Sergeant BluffNot yet rated
May 17, 2026SalixNot 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.