The April 26, 2024 Minden, Iowa Violent Wedge Tornado
Event Statistics
On April 26, 2024, a catastrophic tornado outbreak impacted the Missouri River Valley, produces one of the most violent tornadoes of the year near Minden, Iowa. According to the National Weather Service Omaha, this massive wedge tornado was rated a high-end EF3, with estimated peak winds of 160 mph.
The tornado was part of a long-track supercell that traveled over 40 miles across Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties. At its peak intensity as it struck the town of Minden, the tornado reached a massive width of 1,900 yards (over 1 mile wide). This event prompted multiple rare "Tornado Emergency" declarations due to the imminent threat to life and the catastrophic nature of the storm's wind field.
The Archive: Documented by Caleb Elliott, this footage provides a grim and powerful look at the immediate aftermath and the scale of the debris field in Minden. This record serves as a primary source for understanding the impact of high-end EF3 winds on municipal infrastructure and is a vital part of the Vortex Media historical weather archive.