Saunders County, Nebraska tornadoes

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47 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 3 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total471950 to 2025

Per year0.6average since 1950

Peak monthMay21 of 47

StrongestF4Aug 13, 1952

Deaths2whole paths, see note

Injuries25whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

May is the peak month, with 21 of 47 tornadoes.

By time of day

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0

EF1

EF2

EF4

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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

All 47 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
Date	Rating	Path length	Width	Deaths	Injuries
May 24, 2024	EF0	0.09 mi	60 yd	0	0
May 24, 2024	EF0	0.08 mi	20 yd	0	0
May 21, 2024	EF0	0.22 mi	50 yd	0	0
May 21, 2024	EF0	0.39 mi	50 yd	0	0
Apr 26, 2024	EF1	3.83 mi	50 yd	0	0
Dec 15, 2021	EF1	0.72 mi	100 yd	0	0
Dec 15, 2021	EF1	16.6 mi	100 yd	0	0
Aug 1, 2016	EF0	0.04 mi	15 yd	0	0
Apr 27, 2016	EF0	0.18 mi	25 yd	0	0
May 11, 2014	EF1	10.69 mi	800 yd	0	0
May 11, 2014	EF0	1.8 mi	200 yd	0	0
Jun 4, 2008	EF1	4.88 mi	440 yd	0	0
Jun 4, 2008	EF1	6.47 mi	880 yd	0	0
Mar 30, 2006	F0	0.3 mi	100 yd	0	0
Jun 12, 2004	F0	0.5 mi	100 yd	0	0
May 4, 2003	F1	1.3 mi	250 yd	0	0
May 4, 2003	F0	1 mi	150 yd	0	0
Jun 13, 2001	F0	0.1 mi	30 yd	0	0
Apr 22, 2001	F0	0.2 mi	30 yd	0	0
Apr 8, 1999	F0	3.5 mi	70 yd	0	0
Apr 8, 1999	F1	1.5 mi	400 yd	0	0
Jun 20, 1996	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 12, 1993	F0	1 mi	40 yd	0	0
Jun 7, 1989	F0	0.2 mi	30 yd	0	0
Jun 7, 1989	F0	0.1 mi	30 yd	0	0
May 18, 1989	F0	0.1 mi	30 yd	0	0
May 7, 1988	F2	16.2 mi	73 yd	2	1
May 29, 1980	F1	19.6 mi	80 yd	0	2
May 26, 1977	F1	0.2 mi	30 yd	0	0
May 4, 1977	F1	0.5 mi	20 yd	0	0
May 6, 1975	F0	3.4 mi	17 yd	0	0
Jul 3, 1973	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 23, 1971	F1	14.7 mi	70 yd	0	0
Jun 15, 1970	F2	42.9 mi	600 yd	0	0
May 22, 1966	F2	10.6 mi	10 yd	0	1
May 23, 1964	F1	3.6 mi	880 yd	0	0
May 6, 1964	F2	2.3 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 20, 1959	F2	12 mi	10 yd	0	0
May 4, 1959	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	1
May 2, 1959	F1	0.3 mi	60 yd	0	0
Aug 5, 1958	F0	0.2 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 21, 1957	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jun 15, 1957	F1	22.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jul 30, 1956	F1	0.5 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jul 18, 1956	F0	0.1 mi	10 yd	0	0
Jul 3, 1953	F1	4.3 mi	10 yd	0	0
Aug 13, 1952	F4	26.7 mi	110 yd	0	20

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report date	Location	Rating
May 17, 2026	2 NNW Gretna	Not yet rated
May 17, 2026	2 NNE Ashland	Not yet rated
May 17, 2026	2 N Ashland	Not yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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 12, 2026.