2008 Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado

During the afternoon hours of May 25, 2008, a large and extremely powerful EF5 wedge tornado, most commonly referred to as the Parkersburg tornado or alternatively known as the Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado, devastated the towns of Parkersburg and New Hartford, Iowa. Part of a large tornado outbreak across the central plains, the tornado killed nine people and caused around $75 million in damages across its approximately 43 mile path through northeast Iowa.

The tornado first formed south of Aplington, traveling through a series of farm fields. Minutes after forming, it grew into a large, wedge tornado, directly impacting the city of Parkersburg at EF5 intensity. The tornado devastated the south side of town, including the Aplington-Parkersburg High School, killing seven people. After leaving Parkersburg, the tornado crossed Beaver Creek before hitting a group of homes in northern New Hartford, once again at EF5 intensity. Multiple homes, including the Oak Hill Cemetery, were completely destroyed, killing an additional two people. The tornado attempted to occlude three times before dissipating southwest of Fairbank. In addition to nine fatalities, 70 people were injured during the tornado's 70 minute lifespan and 43 mile (69 km) long path across Butler and Black Hawk counties.

As of 2025, this is the most recent EF5 tornado to affect Iowa. It was also the most powerful tornado of 2008, being the only EF5 tornado.