Federal Way, WA Tornado History — 14 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Federal Way, WA had?
Federal Way has had 14 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Federal Way?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Federal Way was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Federal Way?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Federal Way, with 4 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 Federal Way
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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
Have any tornadoes near Federal Way been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Federal Way from any of the 14 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Federal Way
About Tornadoes in Federal Way
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.
Federal Way, Washington, has experienced 14 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 tornadoes have been distributed fairly evenly across recent decades, with three occurring in each of the 1960s, 2000s, and 2010s, two in both the 1970s and 1990s, and one in the 1980s.
The majority of tornadoes near Federal Way have been weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado intensity from EF0 to EF5 based on damage. Eight tornadoes were rated EF1, four were rated EF0, and only two reached stronger intensities: one EF2 and one EF3. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. June has been the most active month, accounting for four events, though tornadoes have occurred in other months as well, including a notable December occurrence.
The costliest and most recent tornado in the area was an EF2 that struck on December 18, 2018, causing $1,180,000 in property damage along a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 285 yards. The longest-track tornado was an EF1 on September 6, 2009, which traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards and caused $180,000 in damage. The widest tornado reached 400 yards across during an F1 event on June 28, 2001, which carved a 2.3-mile path but caused no reported property damage.
While tornadoes in western Washington are less frequent and typically weaker than those in the nation's most tornado-prone regions, the historical record demonstrates that Federal Way and surrounding communities have experienced these storms across multiple decades. The December 2018 EF2 tornado serves as a reminder that tornadoes can occur outside the traditional spring peak season and in regions not typically associated with high tornado activity.