Franklin County, Nebraska tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Franklin County...

32confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: October 12, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Franklin County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total321950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 32
StrongestF4May 10, 1985
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries2whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 2May: 9Jun: 10Jul: 4Aug: 0Sep: 2Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 10 of 32 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 3: 23 PM: 0: 7: 46 PM: 5: 3: 49 PM: 1: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 11990: 3: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 1: 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
17
EF1
12
EF2
2
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

Strongest

F4, May 10, 1985

56 mile path Longest path

56 miles, F4

May 10, 1985, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, F4

May 10, 1985
Every tornado

All 32 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 12, 2023EF16.29 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF013.45 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2019EF11.9 mi500 yd00
Nov 27, 2016EF00.53 mi20 yd00
Jun 14, 2014EF01.19 mi75 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF00.14 mi35 yd00
Jul 13, 2011EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Jul 13, 2011EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 22, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 26, 2002F01 mi50 yd00
May 2, 1999F13 min/a00
Jul 7, 1996F00.3 mi20 yd00
May 7, 1993F240 mi200 yd00
May 7, 1993F110 mi200 yd00
Jul 2, 1992F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 4, 1991F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 1990F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 18, 1990F01 mi40 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F12 mi50 yd00
Apr 23, 1989F10.8 mi40 yd00
Mar 20, 1987F10.2 mi20 yd00
Sep 4, 1985F10.2 mi40 yd00
May 10, 1985F456 mi1,000 yd02
Sep 1, 1977F10.5 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1975F00.2 mi10 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Franklin County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.