Phelps County, Nebraska tornadoes

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39confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 23, 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 Phelps County

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The record

At a glance

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune13 of 39
StrongestF3Oct 29, 1956
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries7whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 4May: 12Jun: 13Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 7Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 13 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 2: 83 PM: 5: 2: 36 PM: 3: 5: 49 PM: 0: 3: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 01960: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 31990: 0: 1: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
18
EF1
14
EF2
5
EF3
2

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

Every tornado

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 23, 2024EF11.7 mi100 yd00
May 3, 2024EF11.26 mi250 yd00
May 3, 2024EF07.1 mi500 yd00
May 3, 2024EF15.27 mi850 yd00
May 3, 2024EF10.65 mi50 yd00
Oct 12, 2023EF01.82 mi30 yd00
Jun 30, 2018EF00.45 mi50 yd00
Jun 30, 2018EF00.01 mi50 yd00
Dec 25, 2016EF12.75 mi200 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF04.84 mi300 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 29, 2008EF214.06 mi100 yd00
May 29, 2008EF020.86 mi400 yd00
May 7, 2005F09 mi60 yd00
Jun 19, 2000F00.5 mi20 yd00
May 2, 1999F14 mi50 yd00
Oct 16, 1998F224 mi500 yd00
Oct 17, 1994F00.2 mi23 yd00
Oct 17, 1994F00.1 mi23 yd00
Oct 17, 1994F00.1 mi23 yd00
Oct 17, 1994F24 mi73 yd00
Jun 6, 1993F360 mi1,760 yd02
Jun 1, 1991F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 24, 1989F11 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 1989F00.2 mi40 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.