Tornadoes in Polk County
The Storm Prediction Center records 46 tornadoes whose paths touched Polk County, Nebraska between 1955 and 2024. They killed 4 people and injured 63. The busiest month is May, with 16 tornadoes. The strongest was an F5 on 5 May 1964. The most recent was on 14 August 2024.
- 46tornadoes
- 4deaths
- 63injuries
- 1,049per 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 | 16 | 35% |
| F1 / EF1 | 16 | 35% |
| F2 / EF2 | 4 | 9% |
| F3 / EF3 | 5 | 11% |
| F4 / EF4 | 3 | 7% |
| F5 / EF5 | 1 | 2% |
| Unknown rating | 1 | 2% |
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 | 3 |
| 1960s | 9 |
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 4 |
| 2000s | 4 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 0 |
| Mar | 3 |
| Apr | 5 |
| May | 16 |
| Jun | 11 |
| Jul | 5 |
| Aug | 1 |
| Sep | 0 |
| Oct | 3 |
| Nov | 0 |
| Dec | 2 |
Records for Polk County
- Deadliest and Strongest: Hastings, Nebraska tornado5 May 1964, F5, 4 deaths, 50 injuries, 79.7 miles long
- Longest path: Red Cloud, Nebraska tornado13 March 1990, F4, 8 injuries, 131 miles long
- Most recent: Nebraska tornado14 August 2024, Unknown rating, 0 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Polk County
- Hastings, Nebraska tornado5 May 1964, F5, 4 deaths, 50 injuries, 79.7 miles long
- Red Cloud, Nebraska tornado13 March 1990, F4, 8 injuries, 131 miles long
- Grand Island, Nebraska tornado7 April 1978, F4, 1 injury, 31.2 miles long
- Shelby, Nebraska tornado7 April 1978, F4, 8 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.