Happy Valley, OR Tornado History — 27 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Happy Valley, OR had?
Happy Valley has had 27 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Happy Valley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Happy Valley was an EF0 on October 22, 2022.
When is tornado season in Happy Valley?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Happy Valley, with 10 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 Happy Valley
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 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 Happy Valley
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Happy Valley since 1950, across 1 event. 300 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on April 5, 1972, which caused 6 fatalities along a 8.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Happy Valley
About Tornadoes in Happy Valley
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.
Happy Valley, Oregon, sits in a region not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, yet records from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center document 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950. The majority of these events have been weak, with 18 rated EF0 and seven rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and resulting damage. However, the area has experienced stronger tornadoes on rare occasions, including one EF2 and one EF3 event.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado carved an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards. This event resulted in six fatalities and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. No other tornado within 25 miles of Happy Valley has resulted in fatalities since records began in 1950.
Tornado activity near Happy Valley has increased in recent decades. The 1950s through 1980s each recorded only a single tornado, while the 1990s and 2000s each saw six events. The 2010s marked the most active decade with eight tornadoes, and three have already been recorded in the 2020s. Unlike much of the central United States where tornado season peaks in spring, October is the most active month for this area with 10 recorded events, reflecting the Pacific Northwest's distinct weather patterns driven by autumn storm systems.
The longest-tracked tornado traveled 10.1 miles on January 10, 2008, rated EF1 with maximum winds estimated between 86 and 110 mph, causing $525,000 in damage. The widest tornado reached 528 yards across on December 10, 2015, also rated EF1, with $311,000 in property damage. The most recent tornado occurred on October 23, 2022, rated EF0 with $50,000 in damage along a 0.9-mile path.