Orcutt, CA Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Orcutt, CA had?
Orcutt has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Orcutt?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orcutt was an EF1 on February 7, 2024.
When is tornado season in Orcutt?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orcutt, with 2 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Orcutt
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Orcutt been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Orcutt from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Orcutt
About Tornadoes in Orcutt
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Orcutt, California has experienced five tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's location along the central California coast, where tornado formation is far less common than in the nation's interior plains. All five recorded events have been weak, with four rated EF0 and one rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes by wind speed and damage intensity.
The temporal distribution of these tornadoes shows no activity until the 1990s, when one event occurred, followed by three tornadoes in the 2000s and one in the 2020s. February stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for two of the five recorded events. This winter peak is somewhat unusual compared to the national pattern, where tornadoes most frequently occur during spring and early summer months when warm, moist air masses collide with cooler air.
None of the tornadoes on record near Orcutt have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event was an F0 tornado on December 29, 1991, which caused $275 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The most recent tornado, an EF1 that touched down on February 7, 2024, was also the widest and longest on record for the area, carving a path 0.7 miles long and reaching a maximum width of 50 yards, though it caused no reported property damage or injuries.
The weak intensity and infrequent occurrence of tornadoes near Orcutt align with broader patterns observed in coastal California, where the marine influence and local topography generally inhibit the development of the severe thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes. While residents should remain aware that tornadoes can occur, the historical record suggests they pose a relatively minor hazard compared to other weather-related risks in the region.