Tornadoes in Linn County
The Storm Prediction Center records 72 tornadoes whose paths touched Linn County, Iowa between 1953 and 2025. They killed 1 person and injured 44. The busiest month is May, with 16 tornadoes. The strongest was an F4 on 30 April 1954. The most recent was on 11 July 2025.
- 72tornadoes
- 1death
- 44injuries
- 1,004per 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 Linn County?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 25 | 35% |
| F1 / EF1 | 19 | 26% |
| F2 / EF2 | 16 | 22% |
| F3 / EF3 | 4 | 6% |
| F4 / EF4 | 2 | 3% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 6 | 8% |
Linn 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 | 6 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 4 |
| 1980s | 8 |
| 1990s | 14 |
| 2000s | 13 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 1 |
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 2 |
| Apr | 11 |
| May | 16 |
| Jun | 12 |
| Jul | 14 |
| Aug | 6 |
| Sep | 6 |
| Oct | 3 |
| Nov | 0 |
| Dec | 1 |
Records for Linn County
- Deadliest: Marshalltown, Iowa tornado23 April 1961, F3, 1 death, 12 injuries, 87.7 miles long
- Strongest: Palo, Iowa tornado30 April 1954, F4, 80.4 miles long
- Longest path: Iowa tornado7 June 1953, F2, 116 miles long
- Most recent: Iowa tornado11 July 2025, EF1, 12.5 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Linn County
- Marshalltown, Iowa tornado23 April 1961, F3, 1 death, 12 injuries, 87.7 miles long
- Palo, Iowa tornado30 April 1954, F4, 80.4 miles long
- Prairieburg, Iowa tornado13 March 1990, F4, 19 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.