Copiague, NY Tornado History — 23 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Copiague, NY had?
Copiague has had 23 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Copiague?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Copiague was an EF0 on November 13, 2021.
When is tornado season in Copiague?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Copiague, with 8 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 Copiague
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 9 total, averaging 0.5 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 Copiague
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Copiague since 1950, across 1 event. 13 injuries have been reported across all events. 2010 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF1 on September 16, 2010, which caused 1 fatality along a 4.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Copiague
About Tornadoes in Copiague
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.
Copiague, New York, and its surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced 23 tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are less frequent in the Northeast than in the central United States, this coastal Long Island community has documented tornado activity across multiple decades, with notable clustering in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2010s—each recording five to six events.
The majority of tornadoes in the area have been relatively weak, with 12 rated EF0 and 8 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Three tornadoes reached EF2 strength. August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 8 of the 23 recorded events. This late-summer pattern differs from the traditional spring peak seen in many other parts of the country, though tornadoes can occur in any month given the right atmospheric conditions.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on September 16, 2010, when an EF1 tornado resulted in one fatality and caused $17.2 million in property damage along a 4.0-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. This event remains both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. The widest tornado, an F1 rated storm, touched down on June 30, 1998, reaching 300 yards in width during its brief 0.3-mile track, though it caused no reported damage or injuries.
The most recent tornado struck on November 13, 2021, traveling an exceptional 13.1 miles—the longest path length recorded in the area—while maintaining EF0 intensity. This late-season event caused an estimated $300,000 in property damage with no fatalities. The tornado record shows considerable variability by decade, ranging from just one event in the 1980s to six in both the 1990s and 2010s, with two tornadoes already recorded in the 2020s through 2021.