Wayne County, Nebraska tornadoes

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23 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 12, 2023, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 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

Total231950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay10 of 23
StrongestF4May 30, 1954
Deaths8whole paths, see note
Injuries60whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 10Jun: 9Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 10 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 4: 13 PM: 4: 2: 46 PM: 1: 1: 39 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 2: 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
6
EF1
6
EF2
5
EF3
1
EF4
5

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

F4, May 30, 1954

6 deaths, 23 injuries Strongest

F4, May 30, 1954

29.9 mile path Longest path

59.1 miles, F2

June 15, 1970, whole path Widest

2,428 yards, EF4

October 4, 2013

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 12, 2023EF00.73 mi20 yd00
May 12, 2023EF00.33 mi20 yd00
Jun 16, 2017EF12.11 mi100 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF415.84 mi530 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF411.5 mi500 yd10
Jun 16, 2014EF423.94 mi500 yd120
Oct 4, 2013EF418.34 mi2,428 yd015
Jun 1, 2010EF01.38 mi100 yd00
May 21, 2004F10.5 mi150 yd00
Jun 30, 1999F0n/a10 yd00
May 27, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 16, 1992F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 6, 1975F315.9 mi167 yd01
Jun 15, 1970F259.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1965F141.5 mi10 yd00
Apr 20, 1964F20.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 10, 1961F10.3 mi20 yd00
Oct 29, 1956F110.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 17, 1955F210.6 mi40 yd00
May 26, 1955F26.5 mi167 yd00
May 30, 1954F429.9 mi400 yd623
Jun 19, 1953F20.1 mi10 yd01
May 9, 1953F11.5 mi10 yd00

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.