Lyon County, Iowa
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1951 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
43
Tornado reports
176
Hail reports
101
Floods since 1996
774
All events
1
Deaths
$38.2M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Lyon County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 41 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.
Rainfall amounts across Lyon County from June 20-22 ranged from 7 to 12 inches. Widespread overland flooding ensued with additional major to record flooding along the Big Sioux, Rock, and Little Rock Rivers, and Mud Creek. At the peak of flooding, approximately 50 people were eva…
Flooding resulted in extensive damage to public infrastructure including numerous county and township roads, culverts, and some bridges.
Repeated heavy rains caused record flooding of the Rock River. Numerous homes, businesses, roads, farmland, and other low areas were flooded, forcing many people to evacuate their homes and rely on Red Cross and other volunteer assistance for several days. The flooding was especi…
An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain quickly producing heavy ice accumulations, ranging up to between a quarter and half inch. The precipitation then changed to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 6 inches at Rock Rapids. Many b…
Very heavy rain caused flash flooding, forcing streams including the Kanaranzi River, Rio Grand, and Moon Creek to overflow and flood homes, garages, and storage sheds in George. Flooding of roads and other lowlands was widespread. A road washed out and at least four bridges were…
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Dangerous heat index readings reached afternoon peaks as high as 113 degrees 5 miles south-southwest of Ellsworth, 112 degrees 4 miles southwest of George, and 109 degrees at Larchwood.
Drought Drought
Severe (D2) drought conditions improved to moderate (D1) very early in the month.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Picture with coin provided for size comparison.
Drought Drought
Severe (D2) drought conditions persisted through the month.
Drought Drought
Severe (D2) drought conditions persisted through the month.
Drought Drought
Moderate (D1) drought conditions worsened to severe (D2) very late month.
Blizzard Blizzard
Northerly winds were sustained as high as 38 mph near Larchwood. During and after a period of snowfall which totaled 1.5 inches at Rock Rapids, visibility was reduced to near zero at times with blowing snow. Travel was not advised over most roadways during the height of the blizz…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Northwest winds were sustained from 35 to 43 mph near Larchwood. These winds combined with periods of light snowfall which totaled around 1 inch to produce visibility briefly as low as one-quarter to one-half mile.
High Wind High Wind
Sustained winds reached 40 to 43 mph near Larchwood.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Sustained winds reached 30 to 38 mph at times at a personal weather station in Larchwood.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Intermittent short duration near-blizzard conditions occurred, divided by a longer improvement in conditions as falling snow ended for a time during the late afternoon and evening. Gusty northwest winds from 35 to 45 mph were concurrent with light snowfall, which totaled 1.7 inch…
High Wind High Wind
Sustained winds reached around 40 mph at Larchwood.
Blizzard Blizzard
Periods of light snowfall along with winds of 40 to 55 mph resulted in periods of whiteout conditions. Travel was not recommended during the early and mid-afternoon.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Wind chills reached as low as -30 degrees at Larchwood and -26 degrees 4 miles southwest of George.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Snowfall totaled 3.5 inches 1 mile north-northeast of Larchwood and 2.3 inches in Rock Rapids.
High Wind High Wind
Synoptic northwest winds were occasionally sustained from 40 to 46 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph at a personal weather station near Little Rock, 63 mph at Rock Rapids, and 60 mph in Larchwood.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Rock Rapids.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A long-duration snowfall totaled 8.2 inches at Rock Rapids.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Sustained winds reached 30 to 38 mph at times at a personal weather station in Larchwood.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Snowfall totaled 4.1 inches near Larchwood.
Heat Heat
Heat index values peaked as high as 102 degrees 4 miles southwest of George on August 15 and 100 degrees 5 miles south-southwest of Ellsworth and at Larchwood on August 16.
Heat Heat
Heat index values peaked as high as 103 degrees 5 miles south-southwest of Ellsworth and 102 degrees 4 miles southwest of George.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
A tornado spun up approximately 1 mile east-northeast of Alvord just north of 210th Street and around one-half mile west of Fig Avenue. The tornado traveled southeast one-half mile to Fig Avenue where it destroyed a small shed and heavily damaged an abandoned farmstead, including…
Tornado EFU Tornado
A tornado track was identified in corn fields using drone images. Other than the narrow convergent path in the corn, there were no damage indicators to determine a rating. The average path width was 20 yards.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured by a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured by a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An outbuilding was damaged by thunderstorm wind gusts with debris blown to the east. Several trees were uprooted in and near Alvord.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds dented one mostly full grain bin on the west side and collapsed a second empty bin.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree limbs up to 3 inches in diameter were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds destroyed an empty grain bin with debris blown west to east. Several large tree limbs were downed through the town of George.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured by a personal weather station.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Dangerous heat index readings reached an afternoon peak on July 27 as high as 116 degrees 4 miles southwest of George, 114 degrees 5 miles south-southwest of Ellsworth, and 110 degrees near Larchwood.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Dangerous heat index readings reached afternoon peaks as high as 113 degrees 5 miles south-southwest of Ellsworth and 4 miles southwest of George on July 23.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Daily afternoon and evening heat indices ranged from 105 to 116 degrees with a maximum heat index of 116 degrees at a personal weather station near George on June 20 and 109 degrees at Larchwood on June 21.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Winds were measured by a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Winds were measured by a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A roof was blown off a hog barn.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees in Rock Rapids.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A cattle barn was significantly damaged by thunderstorm winds.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 0 |
| 2025 | 46 | 2 |
| 2024 | 32 | 1 |
| 2023 | 26 | 0 |
| 2022 | 32 | 2 |
| 2021 | 28 | 0 |
| 2020 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 42 | 1 |
| 2018 | 45 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 | 23 | 0 |
| 2015 | 21 | 0 |
| 2014 | 26 | 2 |
| 2013 | 18 | 0 |
| 2012 | 25 | 0 |
| 2011 | 19 | 0 |
| 2010 | 37 | 2 |
| 2009 | 12 | 1 |
| 2008 | 28 | 4 |
| 2007 | 18 | 0 |
| 2006 | 14 | 0 |
| 2005 | 30 | 0 |
| 2004 | 23 | 2 |
| 2003 | 13 | 1 |
| 2002 | 17 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 1 |
| 2000 | 20 | 1 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 |
| 1998 | 9 | 1 |
| 1997 | 11 | 2 |
| 1996 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 4 | 1 |
| 1994 | 9 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 |
| 1990 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | 3 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 | 2 |
| 1985 | 4 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 4 | 1 |
| 1978 | 3 | 2 |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 4 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 2 | 1 |
| 1960 | 1 | 1 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |
| 1951 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Lyon County, measured to its path.
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