Clay County, Nebraska tornadoes

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53confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: July 6, 2024, EF1. 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 Clay County

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The record

At a glance

Total531950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthMay17 of 53
StrongestF5May 5, 1964
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries58whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

170 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 7May: 17Jun: 13Jul: 4Aug: 5Sep: 4Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 17 of 53 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 3: 53 PM: 4: 9: 26 PM: 13: 8: 39 PM: 0: 1: 012 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 1: 11980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 3: 2: 0: 11990: 1: 5: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 2: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 0: 0: 4: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02020: 2: 2: 0: 1: 1: 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
25
EF1
13
EF2
7
EF3
5
EF4
1
EF5
1
Unknown
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

F5, May 5, 1964

4 deaths, 50 injuries Strongest

F5, May 5, 1964

79.7 mile path Longest path

131 miles, F4

March 13, 1990, whole path Widest

2,633 yards, F3

May 7, 1993
Every tornado

All 53 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 6, 2024EF11.9 mi400 yd00
Jul 29, 2023EF11.59 mi260 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF07.17 mi60 yd00
May 5, 2021EFU0.01 mi40 yd00
Aug 14, 2020EF00.11 mi25 yd00
Aug 14, 2020EF01.23 mi35 yd00
May 17, 2017EF12.19 mi50 yd00
May 9, 2016EF02.67 mi35 yd00
May 11, 2014EF320.21 mi1,300 yd00
May 11, 2014EF00.07 mi150 yd00
May 29, 2013EF14.34 mi75 yd00
May 29, 2013EF00.01 mi15 yd00
May 29, 2013EF00.49 mi25 yd00
May 27, 2013EF24.47 mi250 yd00
Apr 4, 2009EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Apr 4, 2009EF03.03 mi50 yd00
May 22, 2004F10.2 mi25 yd00
May 22, 2004F223 mi700 yd00
Jun 10, 2002F01 mi20 yd00
Sep 22, 2001F310 mi1,250 yd00
Sep 22, 2001F03 mi150 yd00
Oct 29, 2000F01 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1994F17 mi73 yd00
May 5, 1994F00.1 mi23 yd00
May 5, 1994F00.1 mi23 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.