Harrison County, IA F3 Tornadoes – May 16, 1999

Per the Storm Prediction Center, there were 25 tornadoes on May 16, 1999, nearly half in the state of Iowa. The strongest tornadoes of the day were rated F3. The first formed at 14:45 Local Time in Harrison County, IA. The second formed at 15:16 Local Time also in Harrison County, IA! We will be highlighting both twisters in this summary.

Harrison County, IA F3 Tornado #1

SPC Stats

Path length: 6.2 miles

Width: 200 yards

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 0

Rating: F3

County: Harrison

The first of 2 F3 tornadoes to cross through parts of Harrison County, IA began 5 miles North of Missouri Valley and ended 7 miles NE of Missouri Valley. The path length was just over 6 miles. This was the smaller of the 2 F3s with a width of 200 yards (#2 had a width of 440 yards). A home was destroyed west of Logan before it weakened.

Tornado Path

Click Map To Enlarge

SPC coordinates: Start: 41.63 / -95.90 End: 41.63 / -95.80

Note: Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.

Harrison County, IA F3 Tornado #2

SPC Stats

Path length: 7.5 miles

Width: 440 yards

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 16

Rating: F3

County: Harrison

The 2nd F3 in Harrison County was stronger and unfortunately was deadly. It began 3 miles NE of Missouri Valley and ended 11 miles NE of Missouri Valley, a few miles east of Logan. The path length was 7.5 miles.

The tornado destroyed six homes and a bridge. Numerous vehicles were flipped or smashed along the tornado’s path.

Per the Storm Data entry: A family of 5 left a high school graduation party and saw the tornado on a road 6 miles NE of Missouri Valley. They took cover in a ditch. At this time the tornado was approximately a quarter mile wide. Two of the five were killed after their car and a 3-ton combine head were thrown on them.