Linn storm history
Storm events recorded in Linn, Iowa between 1950 and 2025.
1,386
Total events
64
Tornadoes
362
Hail
85
Floods
8
Deaths
$805.3M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado F4 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Rated F3 with winds estimated at 175 mph.
Widespread straight-line winds that produced extensive damage were reported throughout Linn County, associated with a derecho. These winds lasted around an hour in total at any one location, even though the initial line of storms moved out quickly. Damaging straight-line winds co…
Law enforcement reported that a car driven by a 39 year old man slid 20 to 30 yards off the road in Cedar Rapids Sunday morning. He got out of his car and slipped on ice. Law enforcement found him lying outside of his car at 748 AM CST Sunday with severe hypotherma. It was unclea…
A 42 year old female was struck and killed by lightning while camping at the Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area near Palo.
Law enforcement reported a business building destroyed by high winds from a severe thunderstorm. One person was killed and another injured due to the collapsed structure. A NWS survey found the roof had been blown off which caused the walls to collapse inward and the body was fou…
One teenager drowned and another was injured when they were swept into a large storm sewer during heavy rains. Three 17-year-olds were playing Frisbee near Arthur Elementary School when one of the boys was swept into the storm sewer and another boy went to try rescue him but was …
A direct death occurred in Cedar Rapids when an ice-laden branch fell 50 feet and struck a 65 year old male's head. The branch was 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet long. The victim was shoveling snow and ice off his driveway when the branch above him fell. The victim was struck o…
Lightning struck two golfers at the Airport National Public Golf Course 5 miles east of Cedar Rapids Airport. Both golfers were rushed to a nearby hospital where one (a 38 year old male) was pronounced dead. The other golfer, male, age 37, was treated and released.
According to the Cedar Valley Daily Times newspaper in Vinton, the Cedar Rapids police department reported six crashes on snowy roads that caused nine indirect injuries during the snow event. Trained spotters measured 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Cedar Rapids area.
Heavy rainfall of 4 to over 10 inches over significant areas from 21 to 23 September in extreme North Central and Northeast Iowa moved downstream causing the Cedar River to rise above major flood stage levels. Cedar Rapids rose above its major flood stage level of 16.0 feet on Se…
The record crest on the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids occurred on June 13, 2008 at 31.12 feet. Flood stage is 12 feet. The previous record crest was 20.00 feet set on June 1, 1851. Damage estimates just in Cedar Rapids was at least $750 million.
Strong F2...winds estimated at 140 mph.
Far west side of city
Winter Storm Winter Storm
The COOP Observer in Cedar Rapids reported a total of 8.1 inches. A trained spotter reports ranged from 10.0 inches 2 miles north of Marion to 13.0 inches 1 mile north of Fairfax.
Hail Hail
A trained spotter reported 1.5 inch diameter hail.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several large branches blown down. Dime size hail too.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Cedar Rapids Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County weather equipement.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water reported over 1st Ave and 40th. Vehicles were unable to pass through due to water depth. Time was provided by Law Enforcement.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported a 72 knot gust that measured with a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Photo relayed of a large tree branch broken off. Time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported that branches were knocked down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported that the top half of a very large tree down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter also reported half inch tree limbs coming down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Emergency Manager reported that a semi was blown over on I-380. Also, there are widespread reports of trees down in the northern port of the county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported that a very large tree was snapped off 10 feet above the ground, and was blocking the road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Emergency Manager reported that power was out with damage to trees and a gazebo. Tree branches are also down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NWS Cooperative Observer relayed damage photos of a large tree that was split near the base. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 60 to 70 MPH with no damage reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported that some trees snapped and a mobile home damaged. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An NWS Storm Survey found widespread tree damage throughout town.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This tornado tracked through some rural residences and wooded areas near the Cedar River in far eastern Benton and far western Linn Counties. Damage was mainly to trees, including numerous uprooted or snapped, though a few homes and garages had roof damage. The tornado ended on t…
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This tornado developed just east of the Wapsipinicon River in Linn County and crossed into Jones County ending near U.S. Highway 151. The EF-1 tornado snapped large trees were found at a few locations, along with roof damage to a mobile home. The peak estimated winds were 100 MPH…
Tornado EF2 Tornado
This tornado intensified rapidly after development, and there was a visual from a farmstead to the north of the tornado developing. A dozen large trees at the first homestead hit were downed, some thrown, and heavy outbuilding, garage, and home roof damage. Further there were oth…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A public report of flash flooding at this location.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Flood Flood
A public report of standing water via MPING. Rainfall reports show that 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across the area.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A Mesonet Station RCDI4 reported a 51 knot thunderstorm wind gust.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 38 | 3 |
| 2024 | 40 | 2 |
| 2023 | 55 | 2 |
| 2022 | 30 | 0 |
| 2021 | 25 | 3 |
| 2020 | 64 | 1 |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 |
| 2018 | 21 | 4 |
| 2017 | 44 | 1 |
| 2016 | 23 | 2 |
| 2015 | 48 | 1 |
| 2014 | 55 | 1 |
| 2013 | 37 | 0 |
| 2012 | 64 | 0 |
| 2011 | 75 | 0 |
| 2010 | 49 | 0 |
| 2009 | 42 | 1 |
| 2008 | 66 | 0 |
| 2007 | 64 | 1 |
| 2006 | 52 | 1 |
| 2005 | 31 | 1 |
| 2004 | 48 | 3 |
| 2003 | 31 | 3 |
| 2002 | 29 | 0 |
| 2001 | 41 | 1 |
| 2000 | 46 | 1 |
| 1999 | 22 | 2 |
| 1998 | 23 | 5 |
| 1997 | 15 | 1 |
| 1996 | 15 | 0 |
| 1995 | 7 | 1 |
| 1994 | 11 | 0 |
| 1993 | 10 | 0 |
| 1992 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990 | 4 | 2 |
| 1989 | 9 | 1 |
| 1988 | 6 | 0 |
| 1987 | 9 | 1 |
| 1986 | 6 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 1 |
| 1984 | 9 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 3 | 2 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 | 4 | 0 |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 |
| 1973 | 2 | 0 |
| 1972 | 3 | 1 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 6 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 3 | 0 |
| 1966 | 3 | 3 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | 4 | 1 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | 3 | 0 |
| 1960 | 2 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1958 | 6 | 0 |
| 1956 | 3 | 1 |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | 2 | 2 |
| 1953 | 1 | 1 |