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Waterville, ME Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950

Maine · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Waterville, ME had?

Waterville has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Waterville?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Waterville was a F2 on August 9, 2000.

When is tornado season in Waterville?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Waterville, with 6 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
15
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
0
0.0% of total
Peak Month
July
6 on record
Per Year Avg
0.2
Across 76 years

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 6
1970s 3
1980s 1
1990s 1
2000s 1

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.

EF0 1
EF1 10
EF2 4

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 0
Jun 3
Jul 6
Aug 2
Sep 2
Oct 1
Nov 1
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Waterville been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Waterville from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Waterville

Costliest Tornado
F1 on June 18, 1989 — est. ~$275K (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on August 9, 2000 — 500 yards wide.
Longest Path
F1 on September 14, 1956 — 18.7 mile track.
Most Recent
F2 on August 9, 2000.

About Tornadoes in Waterville

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.

Waterville, Maine has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in northern New England compared to the central United States, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the summer months when atmospheric conditions can support severe thunderstorm development.

The majority of tornadoes near Waterville have been rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Of the 15 recorded events, 10 were rated EF1, 4 were rated EF2, and 1 was rated EF0. The Enhanced Fujita scale ranges from EF0, indicating wind speeds of 65-85 mph with light damage, to EF5, with winds exceeding 200 mph. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record in the Waterville area resulted in fatalities.

Tornado activity peaked during the 1960s, when 6 tornadoes occurred within the search radius, followed by the 1950s and 1970s with 3 events each. Activity declined significantly after 1980, with only one tornado recorded in each of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. July has been the most active month historically, accounting for 6 of the 15 tornadoes, consistent with the peak of convective storm season in the Northeast.

The most damaging tornado on record struck on June 18, 1989, causing $275,000 in property damage along a 1.3-mile path with a maximum width of 123 yards. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on September 14, 1956, traveling 18.7 miles with a narrow 17-yard width and causing $27,500 in damage. The most recent tornado, and also the widest on record at 500 yards, was an F2-rated event on August 9, 2000 that traveled 3 miles but remarkably caused no reported property damage and no injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Waterville, ME had?
Since 1950, 15 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Waterville. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Waterville?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Waterville, with 6 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Waterville?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Waterville was a F2 on August 9, 2000.
How do I get tornado warnings for Waterville?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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