Shaw, DC Tornado History — 114 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Shaw, DC had?
Shaw has had 114 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Shaw?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Shaw was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
When is tornado season in Shaw?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Shaw, with 19 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 Shaw
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 49 total, averaging 2.5 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
Casualties on Record Near Shaw
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Shaw since 1950, across 2 events. 121 injuries have been reported across all events. 2001 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on September 24, 2001, which caused 2 fatalities along a 17.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Shaw
About Tornadoes in Shaw
This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Shaw sits near the center of Washington, D.C., a dense row-house district a short walk from downtown, and its tornado history belongs mostly to the warm months, when severe thunderstorms sweep the Potomac corridor between April and September.
That history includes destructive storms. On April 1, 1973, an F3 tornado tore a 9.8-mile path through the area, injuring 37 people and causing $27,500,000 in damage. On September 5, 1979, another F3 tracked 17.9 miles on a swath roughly 300 yards wide; 1 person was killed and 6 were injured. And on September 24, 2001, a deadly F3 ran 17.5 miles near the city, killing 2 people and injuring 55.
More recent seasons have kept tornadoes in the neighborhood's story. On September 1, 2021, an EF2 carved an 11.43-mile path about 200 yards wide through the region. On June 5, 2024, an EF1 traveled 15.16 miles, injuring 5 people and doing $5,000,000 in property damage. And as recently as June 18, 2025, an EF0 touched down nearby — a reminder that even in the middle of the District, tornado weather remains part of local life, and a warning for Shaw deserves the same attention it would get anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic.