Franklin County, Kansas tornadoes

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30 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: March 6, 2017, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 30
StrongestF5May 20, 1957
Deaths44whole paths, see note
Injuries210whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 5May: 9Jun: 6Jul: 1Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 0: 4: 36 PM: 9: 4: 29 PM: 2: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 2: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 3: 3: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
10
EF2
7
EF3
2
EF5
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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F5, May 20, 1957

44 deaths, 207 injuries Strongest

F5, May 20, 1957

69.4 mile path Longest path

69.4 miles, F5

May 20, 1957, whole path Widest

440 yards, F5

May 20, 1957

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 6, 2017EF13.05 mi50 yd00
Feb 28, 2012EF14.8 mi100 yd00
May 21, 2011EF12.89 mi100 yd00
Jun 8, 2010EF00.02 mi25 yd00
Jun 20, 2009EF00.33 mi25 yd00
Apr 24, 2003F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 24, 2003F10.3 mi80 yd00
May 6, 1993F00.3 mi73 yd00
May 6, 1993F00.3 mi30 yd00
Nov 11, 1982F15 mi100 yd00
Jun 17, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 20, 1965F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 4, 1965F126.8 mi200 yd00
Apr 26, 1964F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 22, 1964F20.1 mi10 yd01
May 4, 1963F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 16, 1960F39.2 mi77 yd00
Nov 17, 1958F20.1 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1958F21 mi60 yd00
May 31, 1958F24.3 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1957F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 20, 1957F35.6 mi10 yd00
May 20, 1957F569.4 mi440 yd44207
Jul 2, 1956F23 mi10 yd00
May 27, 1955F227 mi10 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 13, 20261 N OttawaNot yet rated
Apr 13, 20263 ENE PomonaNot 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 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 12, 2026.