Polk County, Florida
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1951 and 2024, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
165
Tornado reports
256
Hail reports
38
Floods since 1996
1,028
All events
31
Deaths
$1.3B
Property damage
Tornado paths in Polk County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 157 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
The highest wind reported in Polk County was a gust to 78 mph in Bartow at 1:58 AM EST on September 29. Rainfall generally ranged from 6 to 12 inches, with a maximum total of 12 inches reported in Frostproof. The Peace River in Bartow reached its third highest level on record at …
In Polk County, the highest wind reported from Hurricane Irma was a gust to 75 knots at the APRS station AR663 near Bartow. Rainfall was generally around 6 inches or greater, with the highest rain total being 17.61 inches at the CWOP station E1114 in Davenport. The wind resulted …
A 16 year old boy was loading a trailer outside his home when it started to rain on the 7th. The boy went to cover a dirt bike under an oak tree when his mother heard a loud boom and found him unconscious. The boy was taken to a hospital where he died on the 11th.
A car driving southbound on Lake Shipp Drive near the intersection with Ridge Avenue hydroplaned around 6:40 pm EDT on the 24th and hit another vehicle. A third vehicle was unable to stop in time, and struck the second vehicle. The passenger in the first vehicle, a 23 year old wo…
Record high temperatures were felt for four days in a row from October 8th through October 11th at the Lakeland Linder Airport. The high temperature was 95 degrees each afternoon from the 8th through the 10th and 94 degrees on the 11th. This record heat combined with afternoon de…
Lightning struck in a soccer field as a church group was in the midst of a game and nearby picnic. This strike was a bolt from the blue as there was no rain in the immediate area. Radar detected the core of the storm to be six miles to the south of the location. Eighteen victims …
A controlled burn from the previous afternoon was still producing smoke as patches of dense fog began to develop around 4AM. The smoke and fog interacted to produce super-fog in about a 2 mile area encompassing Interstate 4 near Polk City between US 27 and the Polk Parkway. The s…
One man was killed and another injured when they were struck by lightning while standing under a 30 foot oak tree. The injured man suffered from numbness to his right arm and leg and had burns on the bottom of his feet.
The combination of dense fog and smoke from nearby wildfires reduced visibilities to near zero along Interstate 4, between U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 557, over extreme northeast Polk county. One fatality occurred in a multiple vehicle accident along Interstate 4, two miles we…
Two men were killed, aged 43 and 37, while standing under a tree that was struck by lightning at the Huntington Hills Golf Club in North Lakeland. The lightning strike occurred near a grove of eight trees near the 12th hole of the golf course. Light rain had been falling prior to…
Under partial sunshine, sideflash from a lightning bolt of a distant thunderstorm struck and killed a 47 year old male, injured a 27 year old male and a 20 year female while they stood within 15 feet of a seven foot tall wooden pole on the 300 block of West Fussell Road north of …
A 34 year old female was struck in the head, thrown three feet and killed instantly by lightning while standing outdoors in a field next to a steel fence near the intersection of exit 15 of I-4 and Swindell Street. Very light rain was falling at the time of the lightning strike s…
A thunderstorm moved into the area as a high school football game was being played. People saught shelter under tents, and one tent was struck by lightning. Nine people were injured from the strike, with three of them being hospitalized. One of the men hospitalized was unconsciou…
Seven people were injured during the Sun N Fun Festival activities. There were 50 planes that were damaged or destroyed, with several planes overturned. Five campsites were destroyed with several other camp site tents collapsed or blown down. Light towers and other ground equipme…
A strong F2 tornado touched down in the Lake Region mobile home park along U.S. Highway 27 and County Road 544 in Polk county. Several mobile homes sustained major to severe damage. Residents of Haines City who heard the tornado described that the sound resembled a high-pitched w…
Thunderstorm winds tore the roof off the porch and kitchen of a home near U.S. Highway 98 and Rockridge Road.
A long, continuous path of damage was found in western Polk County from a tornado, causing extensive EF-2 damage. An NWS survey and subsequent Civil Air Patrol aerial survey found numerous homes and businesses with damage to roofs, fascia, awnings, and screen enclosures, as well …
A wildfire started on the 15th, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and breezy winds. The fire caused 500 homes to be evacuated on the evening of the 15th, and Highways 630 and 60 were temporarily closed. The fire eventually burned 5500 acres around Indian Lake Estates and R…
June rainfall of 14 to 18 inches in eastern Polk County had increased lake water levels from Lake Wales to Frostproof. The water levels were already high after three hurricanes moved over the area in 2004. Some lake levels have risen 10 feet during the last 12 months. About 107 m…
A short-lived tornado touched down one mile west of Bartow Municipal Airport and damaged a vehicle. The tornado skipped east across rural countryside before it severely damaged a few hangars, overturned ten small private planes and downed several storage sheds and power lines. Th…
Strong thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines and damaged three buildings. Two houses and eight mobile homes suffered severe damage in Winterhaven.
Hurricane (Typhoon) Hurricane (Typhoon)
Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 80 to 90 mph, with a maximum gust of 87 mph at Winter Haven Gilbert Airport at 9:17 PM EST on October 9, before the instrument stopped reporting. Rainfall generally ranged from 10 to 15 inches over western parts of t…
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 41 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport at 7:04 AM EST on August 5. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches, with a maximum total of 8.03 inches near Mulberry. A tornado was reported …
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A supercell embedded within an outer rainband associated with Tropical Storm Debby began showing signs of increased organization around 13:40 EST as it moved north-northwest across southern Polk County between Bowling Green and Fort Meade. The storm continued exhibiting signs of …
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Continuation of the tornado track that originated in Hardee County after a long-lived supercell embedded within an outer rainband associated with Tropical Storm Debby tracked north-northwestward across much of interior southwest Florida, including parts of Lee, Charlotte and DeSo…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Broadcast media shared video from a social media account depicting a very brief land spout tornado impacting a trailer and small carport-style structure, causing minor damage. No additional damage was reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public video and reports shared via social media depict multiple fences toppled and damage to multiple pool cages just south of Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Hail Hail
Picture posted on social media displayed golf ball size hail near Haines City.
Hail Hail
Picture posted on social media displayed golf ball size hail near Lake Alfred.
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 47 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport at 5:43 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum total of 5.28 inches near Bartow.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
EM relayed report of damage to the carport of a home near Lake Alfred.
Hail Hail
Trained spotter relayed report via ham radio of 1-inch diameter hail northeast of Lake Wales.
Hail Hail
Ham radio report received of 1-inch diameter hail along US Hwy 27 southwest of Haines City.
Hail Hail
Public report received via social media of 1.75-inch hail between Lake Alfred and Haines City.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
EM relayed report of minor damage to two carports near Lake Starr.
Hail Hail
Public report received of 1-inch hail southeast of Loughman.
Hail Hail
Public report received of 1-inch diameter hail west of Frostproof.
Tropical Storm Tropical Storm
The highest wind reported in Polk County was a gust to 54 mph at Winter Haven Regional Airport at 5:32 AM EST on November 10. Rainfall generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches with a maximum of 5.13 inches reported near Davenport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
EM relayed reports of damage to a screened patio extension cover.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 3 |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 |
| 2021 | 7 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 | 1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 1 |
| 2018 | 9 | 2 |
| 2017 | 10 | 1 |
| 2016 | 21 | 1 |
| 2015 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 18 | 0 |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 |
| 2012 | 12 | 2 |
| 2011 | 21 | 3 |
| 2010 | 16 | 2 |
| 2009 | 25 | 2 |
| 2008 | 31 | 1 |
| 2007 | 29 | 2 |
| 2006 | 13 | 3 |
| 2005 | 25 | 4 |
| 2004 | 29 | 5 |
| 2003 | 20 | 1 |
| 2002 | 35 | 3 |
| 2001 | 49 | 0 |
| 2000 | 37 | 2 |
| 1999 | 72 | 3 |
| 1998 | 79 | 7 |
| 1997 | 79 | 9 |
| 1996 | 43 | 4 |
| 1995 | 20 | 4 |
| 1994 | 5 | 3 |
| 1993 | 22 | 2 |
| 1992 | 14 | 3 |
| 1991 | 33 | 9 |
| 1990 | 13 | 5 |
| 1989 | 11 | 4 |
| 1988 | 8 | 2 |
| 1987 | 4 | 3 |
| 1986 | 11 | 7 |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 |
| 1984 | 5 | 1 |
| 1983 | 7 | 2 |
| 1982 | 13 | 9 |
| 1981 | 9 | 3 |
| 1979 | 5 | 2 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 4 | 1 |
| 1976 | 3 | 2 |
| 1975 | 6 | 3 |
| 1974 | 8 | 4 |
| 1973 | 7 | 3 |
| 1972 | 6 | 2 |
| 1971 | 14 | 5 |
| 1970 | 4 | 0 |
| 1969 | 8 | 2 |
| 1968 | 8 | 3 |
| 1967 | 4 | 1 |
| 1966 | 3 | 1 |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 |
| 1964 | 2 | 2 |
| 1963 | 2 | 2 |
| 1962 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1960 | 3 | 2 |
| 1959 | 2 | 0 |
| 1958 | 5 | 3 |
| 1957 | 2 | 2 |
| 1956 | 2 | 1 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
| 1951 | 3 | 3 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Polk County, measured to its path.
We couldn’t get your location. Check that location access is allowed for this site, or type an address.