Tornadoes in Benton County
The Storm Prediction Center records 53 tornadoes whose paths touched Benton County, Iowa between 1954 and 2025. They killed 2 people and injured 56. The busiest month is July, with 12 tornadoes. The strongest was an F4 on 26 August 1965. The most recent was on 11 July 2025.
- 53tornadoes
- 2deaths
- 56injuries
- 740per 10,000 sq mi of land
A tornado that crossed several counties counts in each one, so county counts add up to more than the state's.
How strong were the tornadoes in Benton County?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 22 | 42% |
| F1 / EF1 | 12 | 23% |
| F2 / EF2 | 7 | 13% |
| F3 / EF3 | 5 | 9% |
| F4 / EF4 | 1 | 2% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 6 | 11% |
Benton County tornadoes over time
The 2020s only run to 2025, so that bar is for a shorter period. The record starts in 1950.
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 1 |
| 1990s | 4 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 5 |
| Apr | 8 |
| May | 9 |
| Jun | 10 |
| Jul | 12 |
| Aug | 4 |
| Sep | 4 |
| Oct | 1 |
| Nov | 0 |
| Dec | 0 |
Records for Benton County
- Deadliest and Strongest: La Porte City, Iowa tornado26 August 1965, F4, 1 death, 17 injuries, 4.7 miles long
- Longest path: Marshalltown, Iowa tornado23 April 1961, F3, 1 death, 12 injuries, 87.7 miles long
- Most recent: Iowa tornado11 July 2025, EF1, 4.1 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Benton County
- La Porte City, Iowa tornado26 August 1965, F4, 1 death, 17 injuries, 4.7 miles long
- Marshalltown, Iowa tornado23 April 1961, F3, 1 death, 12 injuries, 87.7 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.