Essex, MD Tornado History — 95 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Essex, MD had?
Essex has had 95 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Essex?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Essex was an EF0 on July 31, 2025.
When is tornado season in Essex?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Essex, with 26 on record. April through June account for 35 of the 95 tornadoes on record near Essex.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Essex
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 38 total, averaging 1.9 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Essex since December 29, 2025
These are 3 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
EF-0 tornado confirmed. 439pm start 445pm end. Path 1.9 miles. Max width 90 yards. Peak wind 65 mph. (LWX)
A second tornado touched down along Lake Drive in the Arnold/Cape Saint Claire area for about a minute. Significant convergent tree damage was noted... along with the g (LWX)
EF0. Peak Wind 80 mph. Path Width 75 yards. Path length 0.3 miles. (LWX)
Within 25 miles of Essex. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Essex
4 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Essex and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 16, 2025 and the most recent on June 19, 2025. They are already counted in the Essex totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Winds took down a tree in the Goose Hill area... which landed on power wires and snapped a telephone pole in half. Additional wind damage in a nearby wooded area... whe (PHI)
NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Odenton... MD at approximately 440 pm... with peak winds estimated at 80mph. Path length was 0.1 mile (LWX)
Corrected for time/date. NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Odenton... MD at approximately 215 pm... with peak winds estimated at 80mph. (LWX)
NWS storm survey can confirm a tornado touched down around Federal Hill in Baltimore City and tracked east before lifting in Dundalk. The tornado was given a preliminar (LWX)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Essex
4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Essex since 1950, across 2 events. 140 injuries have been reported across all events. 2018 was the deadliest year on record near Essex.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which caused 2 fatalities along a 17.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Essex
What the record shows near Essex
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Essex, with 33 of the 95 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 12 so far. The Essex record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Essex, 83 reached EF0 or EF1 and 12 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Essex is rated EF3, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Essex has averaged 1.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 38 in total. 2012 was the busiest of them with 5, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.