Iowa Sets New Record for Tornados in 2024 — Produces One of the Most Devastating

In an unprecedented year, Iowa recorded 125 tornadoes in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 120 set in 2004. This uptick in tornado activity underscores the importance of weather tracking and preparedness in the face of extreme events.

The National Weather Service reported that the record-breaking tornadoes resulted in six fatalities and 44 injuries. April and May were particularly active, with a combined total of 98 tornadoes—more than three-quarters of the year's total. This surge in tornadoes can be attributed not only to natural factors but also to advancements in tracking technology, which have improved the accuracy and frequency of tornado reporting.

While many in Iowa have developed a stigma for porch watching tornados, we also understand the devastation they bring. While that was certainly the case for 2024, Iowa also has a long history of severe tornadoes. Below is a closer look at the state’s five most catastrophic tornadoes, each leaving a lasting impact on the communities they touched.

5. Greenfield Tornado (May 21, 2024)

One of the most recent and violent tornadoes to hit Iowa, the Greenfield tornado was classified as an EF4. With wind speeds reaching between 309 and 318 mph, it caused widespread destruction in the town of Greenfield. The tornado resulted in five fatalities and injured 35 people. The damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure was extensive, leaving the community grappling with recovery. This tornado’s intensity and speed underline the increasing threat of severe weather in the region.

4. Oelwein and Maynard Tornado (May 15, 1968)

On the same day as the infamous Charles City tornado, another F5 tornado struck the towns of Oelwein and Maynard. This tornado resulted in five deaths and left a path of devastation in its wake. The tornado obliterated homes, businesses, and schools, disrupting the lives of countless residents. The simultaneous occurrence of two F5 tornadoes in one day remains a grim reminder of Iowa’s vulnerability to severe weather.

3. Parkersburg–New Hartford Tornado (May 25, 2008)

This EF5 tornado is one of the most remembered in recent history, leaving nine people dead and injuring over 70 others. It decimated the town of Parkersburg and caused significant damage to New Hartford. The tornado destroyed nearly 300 homes and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. The recovery process was long and arduous, as the community worked to rebuild from the ground up.

2. Jordan Tornado (June 13, 1976)

The Jordan tornado is another F5 tornado that had devastating effects. It claimed nine lives and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The small town of Jordan was almost entirely wiped out, with many buildings reduced to rubble. The sheer force of the tornado and the scope of destruction make it one of Iowa's most severe weather events. Dr. Ted Fujita, the originator of the Fujita tornado intensity scale, said the tornado which hit Jordan was one of the most intense and destructive he had ever studied

1. Charles City Tornado (May 15, 1968)

The most devastating tornado in Iowa’s history, the Charles City tornado, was an F5 storm that caused 13 deaths and injured 450 people. It destroyed 337 homes and numerous businesses, leaving the town in ruins. The community faced a long and difficult recovery, and the tornado remains a stark reminder of the power of nature.

These historical tornadoes, along with the recent record-setting activity, highlight the need for continuous improvement in weather forecasting, emergency preparedness, and community resilience. Iowa’s experience serves as a case study in the importance of adapting to and mitigating the impacts of increasingly severe weather patterns.