Milwaukie, OR Tornado History — 27 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Milwaukie, OR had?
Milwaukie has had 27 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Milwaukie?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Milwaukie was an EF0 on October 24, 2022.
When is tornado season in Milwaukie?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Milwaukie, 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 Milwaukie
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 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 Milwaukie
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie
About Tornadoes in Milwaukie
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.
Milwaukie, Oregon has experienced 27 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in the Pacific Northwest compared to the central United States, the area has seen a gradual increase in documented events over recent decades, with eight tornadoes recorded in the 2010s and four so far in the 2020s. The majority of these tornadoes have been weak, with 18 rated EF0 and seven rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado claimed six lives and caused $27.5 million in property damage. This event remains both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region, carving an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards. It stands as one of only two tornadoes rated EF2 or higher in the area since 1950, the other being a single EF2 event.
Unlike much of the country where tornado activity peaks during spring and early summer, the Milwaukie area shows an unusual seasonal pattern, with October accounting for 10 of the 27 recorded tornadoes. This autumn peak reflects the Pacific Northwest's distinct meteorological patterns, where cool-season storms moving in from the Pacific Ocean can occasionally produce the wind shear and instability necessary for tornado formation. The most recent tornado touched down on October 24, 2022, as a brief EF0 with a maximum width of just 17 yards and minimal damage.
The longest-tracked tornado in the area's history was an EF1 that traveled 10.1 miles on January 10, 2008, causing $525,000 in damage, while the widest was an EF1 on December 10, 2015, reaching 528 yards across. These winter tornadoes further illustrate the region's atypical tornado climatology, where cool-season events are more common than the warm-season tornadoes that dominate most of the United States.