Ottawa County, Kansas tornadoes

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36confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 2, 2018, EF0. 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 Ottawa County

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The record

At a glance

Total361950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay16 of 36
StrongestEF4May 25, 2016
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries68whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 16Jun: 6Jul: 3Aug: 0Sep: 5Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 16 of 36 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 6: 7: 46 PM: 5: 5: 49 PM: 0: 3: 112 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 3: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 3: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 2: 3: 1: 2: 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.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
8
EF2
4
EF3
5
EF4
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, September 25, 1973

3 deaths, 42 injuries Strongest

EF4, May 25, 2016

25.09 mile path Longest path

169.7 miles, F3

September 25, 1973, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF3

May 28, 2013
Every tornado

All 36 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 2, 2018EF00.01 mi20 yd00
May 1, 2018EF315.78 mi880 yd00
Apr 15, 2017EF01.7 mi25 yd00
Oct 4, 2016EF00.1 mi40 yd00
May 25, 2016EF425.09 mi900 yd08
May 25, 2016EF00.47 mi25 yd00
May 6, 2015EF00.25 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2015EF00.02 mi50 yd00
May 28, 2013EF32.33 mi1,000 yd00
May 28, 2013EF00.01 mi25 yd00
Apr 14, 2012EF115.79 mi100 yd00
May 5, 2007EF110.08 mi200 yd00
May 5, 2007EF211 mi100 yd15
May 5, 2007EF00.25 mi50 yd00
Sep 21, 2006F00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 21, 2006F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 6, 2006F12.6 mi200 yd00
Jun 8, 1998F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 8, 1998F02 mi30 yd00
May 7, 1997F05 mi23 yd00
Jul 3, 1995F10.3 mi73 yd00
May 12, 1995F03 mi80 yd00
Jul 1, 1994F02.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 9, 1992F11 mi73 yd00
Jun 15, 1992F33 mi800 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.