The March 31, 2023 tornado
EF4Keokuk, Washington, Iowa and Johnson counties, Iowa
An EF4 tornado on a 19.9-mile path that injured 3. It was one of 127 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 10 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of March 31, 2023: 127 tornadoes in 9 statesEF4 tornado · March 31, 2023
How it happened
Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.
The tornado
- Rating
- EF4
- Enhanced Fujita scale
- Path length
- 19.9 mi
- Width up to 700 yards
- Killed
- 0
- Along the whole path
- Injured
- 3
- Along the whole path
- Date and time
- Friday, March 31, 2023
- 3:10 PM CST
The National Weather Service account
Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.
Another large, violent tornado developed in eastern Keokuk County as the initial tornado was weakening southwest of Keota. The tornado tracked to the northeast, on the western fringe of Keota, and crossed into Washington County near the intersection of Keokuk-Washington Road and 180th St. The tornado then continued through northwest Washington county, extreme southeast Iowa County, and into far southwest Johnson County. The tornado severely damaged several homes near Keota, wiping one house completely off its foundation, resulting in EF-4 level damage. A car was lofted in the air and tossed about 1000 feet into a nearby field and trees were completely debarked with only stubs of the largest branches remaining. As the tornado tracked west of Wellman, Iowa it knocked over a 325 ft cell phone tower. The tornado began to dissipate as it tracked into far southwest Johnson County. The tornado was rated EF-4 in Keokuk County, EF-3 in Washington County, and EF-1 in Iowa and Johnson Counties.
The storm system that day
A very strong system developed on the morning of March 31st and tracked across the state of Iowa. This system pulled unseasonably warm and moist air into the Midwest, which combined with a very favorable wind profile to create a volatile environment for severe thunderstorms. Discrete supercell thunderstorms occurred initially, but quickly transitioned into a QLCS mode. This system produced a historic tornado outbreak for the area, with a record 29 tornadoes on the day, including 13 rated EF-2, 1 rated EF-3, and 1 rated EF-4. This was the first EF-4 tornado in the NWS Quad Cities service area since 1995. 11 injuries were reported, with no known fatalities. In addition to the numerous tornadoes, there were many large hail and damaging wind reports. Maximum straight line thunderstorm winds were estimated at 80 to 90 mph.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.
Counties on its path
Other notable tornadoes that day
- EF3, Jasper County6 killed
- EF3, Hardeman County9 killed
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.