The May 15, 1968 tornado

F5Howard, Franklin, Butler, Floyd and Chickasaw counties, Iowa

An F5 tornado on a 62.1-mile path that killed 13 and injured 462. It was one of 33 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 9 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 15, 1968: 33 tornadoes in 9 states

F5 tornado · May 15, 1968

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 62.1 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

The tornado

Rating: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 62.1 mi; Width up to 600 yards
Killed: 13; Along the whole path
Injured: 462; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, May 15, 1968; 3:10 PM CST
That day: 33; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Howard CountyIA
Franklin CountyIA
Butler CountyIA
Floyd CountyIA
Chickasaw CountyIA

Other notable tornadoes that day

F5, Fayette County5 killed
F4, Independence County7 killed
F4, Jackson County35 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.