Polk County, Nebraska tornadoes

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38confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: August 14, 2024, EFU. 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 Polk County

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The record

At a glance

Total381950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay13 of 38
StrongestF4Apr 7, 1978
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 5May: 13Jun: 8Jul: 5Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 13 of 38 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 53 PM: 0: 9: 66 PM: 2: 2: 79 PM: 1: 1: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 21970: 0: 3: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 4: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 3: 0: 0: 2: 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
16
EF1
14
EF2
2
EF3
3
EF4
2
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

Strongest

F4, April 7, 1978

31.2 mile path Longest path

47.4 miles, F1

June 4, 1971, whole path Widest

1,500 yards, F3

October 9, 2001
Every tornado

All 38 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 14, 2024EFU0.01 mi15 yd00
May 21, 2024EF04.12 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF17.54 mi350 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF112 mi400 yd00
May 2, 2021EF01.33 mi100 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF00.4 mi45 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF39.49 mi880 yd00
May 12, 2011EF00.99 mi30 yd00
May 12, 2011EF00.74 mi30 yd00
May 11, 2011EF12.29 mi75 yd00
May 10, 2005F00.1 mi50 yd00
Oct 9, 2001F15 mi400 yd00
Oct 9, 2001F318 mi1,500 yd00
Oct 9, 2001F112 mi400 yd00
Jun 15, 1992F22 mi150 yd00
May 29, 1991F01 mi40 yd00
Jun 29, 1986F10.3 mi50 yd00
Jun 29, 1986F10.3 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 1985F12 mi40 yd00
Apr 19, 1985F10.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 7, 1978F48 mi50 yd00
Apr 7, 1978F431.2 mi77 yd01
May 10, 1975F00.2 mi10 yd00
Mar 27, 1975F10.7 mi60 yd00
May 26, 1973F00.1 mi10 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.