Camas, WA Tornado History — 26 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Camas, WA had?
Camas has had 26 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Camas?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Camas was an EF0 on October 11, 2023.
When is tornado season in Camas?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Camas, with 7 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 Camas
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 Camas
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Camas since 1950, across 1 event. 301 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 Camas
About Tornadoes in Camas
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.
Camas, Washington, situated in the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia River Gorge, has experienced 26 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This tornado activity is notably unusual for the region, as the Pacific Northwest generally experiences far fewer tornadoes than the central United States. The majority of these events have been weak, with 18 rated EF0 and 7 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
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 6 fatalities and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. The F3 rating indicates estimated wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph, capable of causing severe structural damage. This single event stands in stark contrast to the predominantly weak tornadoes that have characterized the area's tornado climatology.
Tornado frequency in the Camas area has increased in recent decades, with only 4 tornadoes documented from the 1950s through 1980s combined, compared to 22 tornadoes from the 1990s through the 2020s. The 2010s saw the highest activity with 7 recorded events, followed by 6 in the 2000s and 5 in the 1990s. October has been the peak month for tornado activity with 7 events, an unusual pattern compared to the spring peak common in other parts of the country. This fall maximum may reflect the region's unique meteorological conditions, where atmospheric instability can develop during autumn weather transitions.
Recent notable tornadoes include an EF1 event on January 10, 2008, which traveled 10.1 miles—the longest path length on record for the area—causing $525,000 in damage. Another EF1 tornado on December 10, 2015, achieved the widest recorded width at 528 yards while causing $311,000 in damage. The most recent tornado occurred on October 11, 2023, rated EF0 with a half-mile path and causing no injuries or property damage.