Elk County, Kansas tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: April 27, 2024, EFU. 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 Elk County

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The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril10 of 31
StrongestF4Apr 2, 1956
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries31whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 10May: 8Jun: 6Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 3Oct: 1Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 2: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 4: 5: 56 PM: 3: 3: 29 PM: 2: 1: 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 5: 2: 11960: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 5: 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
9
EF1
12
EF2
4
EF3
2
EF4
1
Unknown
3

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

F4, April 2, 1956

2 deaths, 29 injuries Strongest

F4, April 2, 1956

108.3 mile path Longest path

108.3 miles, F4

April 2, 1956, whole path Widest

880 yards, F4

April 2, 1956
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 27, 2024EFU0.01 mi30 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EFU0.01 mi15 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF10.48 mi40 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF10.04 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF28.47 mi300 yd00
Sep 21, 2019EFU0.5 mi25 yd00
Sep 21, 2019EF11.2 mi75 yd00
May 10, 2010EF00.27 mi75 yd00
May 1, 2008EF00.7 mi50 yd00
Jun 17, 2006F02 mi50 yd00
Sep 13, 2005F00.5 mi55 yd00
Jun 12, 2004F01 mi75 yd00
Jun 12, 2004F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 1991F314 mi200 yd12
Apr 26, 1984F128 mi200 yd00
Oct 8, 1982F13 mi17 yd00
Jun 8, 1974F00.1 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 1968F19.9 mi10 yd00
Jun 3, 1965F222.4 mi87 yd00
Nov 27, 1960F217.3 mi10 yd00
Apr 16, 1960F11 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 1959F22.5 mi100 yd00
Nov 17, 1958F00.1 mi10 yd00
Nov 17, 1958F38.5 mi880 yd00
May 16, 1957F14.3 mi20 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.