Oregon City, OR Tornado History — 22 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Oregon City, OR had?
Oregon City has had 22 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Oregon City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Oregon City was an EF0 on October 24, 2022.
When is tornado season in Oregon City?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Oregon City, with 9 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 Oregon City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 10 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 Oregon City
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Oregon City 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 Oregon City
About Tornadoes in Oregon City
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.
Oregon City, Oregon, has experienced 22 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the Pacific Northwest's generally lower tornado frequency compared to the central United States, though the region is not immune to these events. The majority of recorded tornadoes have been weak, with 14 rated EF0 and 6 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also seen two stronger tornadoes: one EF2 and one EF3.
The most significant tornado in the region'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 claimed 6 lives and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the area. The F3 rating indicates estimated wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph, capable of causing severe structural damage. No other tornado in the region's history has approached this level of destruction or loss of life.
Tornado activity near Oregon City shows an unusual seasonal pattern, with October accounting for 9 of the 22 recorded events—the peak month by a considerable margin. This autumn concentration differs from the typical spring and early summer tornado season observed across much of the United States, likely reflecting the Pacific Northwest's unique weather patterns influenced by marine air masses and topography. The most recent tornado occurred on October 24, 2022, rated EF0 with a maximum width of just 17 yards and causing $25,000 in property damage.
Temporal distribution of tornadoes shows variability across decades, with just one event recorded in each of the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. Activity increased notably from the 1990s onward, with 6 tornadoes in that decade and 5 each in the 2000s and 2010s. The current decade has recorded 3 tornadoes through 2022. The longest-tracked tornado on record was an EF1 on January 10, 2008, which traveled 10.1 miles with a maximum width of 440 yards and caused $525,000 in damage but resulted in no fatalities.