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Orange County, California
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1958 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
31
Tornado reports
13
Hail reports
138
Floods since 1996
393
All events
17
Deaths
$162.3M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Orange County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 29 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
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Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
A 28 year old Massachuetts man swimming with some friends near the jetty at 28th Street, drowned after getting caught in a rip current.
Surf whipped up by Hurricane Guillermo pounded beaches in Orange County with waves from 6 to 12 feet high. Hundreds of people were rescued, but rip currents were blamed for three injuries and one death. On the fifth, a 19 year old man was swept away about a mile north of the Hunt…
Shortly after 0900 PST, the roof of a classroom partially collapsed due to heavy rain. Fourteen people, ages 17 to 50, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding in downtown Laguna Beach with up to 4 feet of water on Broadway Street. Stranded motorists were rescued. The water also swept mud through homes, businesses and streets in the city. Approximately 184 businesses, homes and structures were damage…
Orange County officials estimate the total damages to public and private property at $36 million, due the 10+ of rain received by many areas. The city of Laguna Beach was certainly the hardest hit, making up approximately $12 million of the county's damages. Twelve miles of beach…
A tornado ripped through a residential section, tearing shingles from roofs, uprooting trees and scattering debris over a several block area. There was damage to 31 homes.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Viewers reported to fox 11 tree damage in Fullerton. Wind gusts in the vicinity at the time were as high as 57 mph at F0063.
Flood Flood
All lanes northbound and southbound at PCH from Seapoint Street to Warner Avenue are closed due to water over road. Area received 0.75 to 1 inch of rain over 6 hours.
Flood Flood
Road closure on Southbound Hwy 1 from Warner Ave to Seapoint St due to flood control.
Flood Flood
Dept of Highways reported that all lanes of southbound highway 133 offramp to Irvine Blvd flooded with several vehicles possibly stuck. Hourly rainfall totals nearby ranged from 0.40-0.60 inch.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
ABC7 news reported flooding of Edwards St, north of the 405 in Westminster. Video showed approximately 6-12 inches of water on the road. Westminster alert gauge reported 1.45 inches of rain in 42 minutes.
Flood Flood
Dept of Highways reported Hwy 1 (Pacific Hwy) being closed due to flooding from Seapoint St to Warner Ave. Gauge just north of the area.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station WMRC1 Westminster Orange reported hourly rainfall rate of 1.84 inches between 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 W San Juan Capistrano. Report photos show umbrellas blown from second floor of home to ground, including a bent flag pole hinge from wind.
Flood Flood
Dept of Highways reported full closure of Highway 1 (Pacific Hwy) southbound lanes due to flooding.
Flood Flood
A public source reported full closure of northbound 405 on ramp due to flooding.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station FCKC1, 1.2 E Buena park reported 0.89 inches of rain in the past hour.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station BEDC1 Brea Creek reported 1.16 inches of rainfall in the past hour.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station CTDC1 El Toro Orange reported 0.63 inches of rainfall.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Trained spotter reported a storm total rainfall since Thursday evening of 1.51 inches.
Flood Flood
Public Report from mPING: River/Creek overflowing; Cropland/Yard/Basement Flooding.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Trained spotter reported cumulative rainfall total for last two back-to-back storms was 0.88.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Trained spotter reported rainfall total of storm through yesterday afternoon start for a total of 0.50 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A public source reported heavy rain, with a total of 0.95 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Cumulative rainfall total so far since the start of storm early Wednesday morning, with a total of the 3.5 inched total. Of that, 0.69 inches fell within the last 12 hours.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station SDOC1 Silverado Canyon reported a total precipitation of 5.16 inches.
Flood Flood
Corrects previous flash flood report from 2 miles SW of Santa Ana. Report from mPing.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 28 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2021 | 21 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 0 |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 | 1 |
| 2005 | 29 | 1 |
| 2004 | 15 | 0 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 18 | 0 |
| 2001 | 29 | 1 |
| 2000 | 23 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 0 |
| 1998 | 31 | 1 |
| 1997 | 10 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 1 |
| 1993 | 4 | 4 |
| 1992 | 3 | 3 |
| 1991 | 2 | 2 |
| 1988 | 2 | 2 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 2 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 4 | 1 |
| 1978 | 3 | 1 |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 |
| 1966 | 2 | 2 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Orange County, measured to its path.
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