Tornadoes in Polk County
The Storm Prediction Center records 78 tornadoes whose paths touched Polk County, Iowa between 1953 and 2024. They killed 8 people and injured 166. The busiest month is May, with 23 tornadoes. The strongest was an EF4 on 5 March 2022. The most recent was on 15 July 2024.
- 78tornadoes
- 8deaths
- 166injuries
- 1,363per 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 Polk County?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 35 | 45% |
| F1 / EF1 | 20 | 26% |
| F2 / EF2 | 16 | 21% |
| F3 / EF3 | 1 | 1% |
| F4 / EF4 | 3 | 4% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 3 | 4% |
Polk County tornadoes over time
The 2020s only run to 2024, so that bar is for a shorter period. The record starts in 1950.
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 4 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 8 |
| 1980s | 20 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 13 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 4 |
| Apr | 13 |
| May | 23 |
| Jun | 17 |
| Jul | 11 |
| Aug | 1 |
| Sep | 5 |
| Oct | 2 |
| Nov | 2 |
| Dec | 0 |
Records for Polk County
- Deadliest and Strongest: Newton, Iowa tornado5 March 2022, EF4, 6 deaths, 5 injuries, 70.6 miles long
- Longest path: Iowa tornado7 June 1953, F2, 116 miles long
- Most recent: Iowa tornado15 July 2024, EF1, 6.9 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Polk County
- Newton, Iowa tornado5 March 2022, EF4, 6 deaths, 5 injuries, 70.6 miles long
- Des Moines, Iowa tornado18 June 1974, F4, 2 deaths, 50 injuries, 15.3 miles long
- Ankeny, Iowa tornado28 September 1986, F4, 20 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.