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San Bernardino County, California
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1954 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
33
Tornado reports
67
Hail reports
996
Floods since 1996
1,642
All events
38
Deaths
$1.5B
Property damage
Tornado paths in San Bernardino County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 33 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.
Flash flooding on Main Street between Lenwood Road and Sweeten Lane swept away a car, killing a two-year old boy and injuring his father.
Ontario Fire department reported 6 person in the swiftwater channel in John Galvin park where the channel begins near I-10. Rainfall rates of 0.50 to 0.75 inches per hour had occurred from 7 am to 9 am in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga. 3 persons were rescued. 3 more person were la…
Heavy thunderstorms associated with remnant moisture from post-tropical cyclone Kay produced torrential rain over the Apple and El Dorado burn scars on the afternoon of September 12. Multiple debris flows occurred following torrential one-hour rainfall rates exceeding debris flow…
Waves estimated to be six feet high swept across Lake Havasu due to severe thunderstorm winds. Multiple boaters in distress were rescued from their crafts and from the water. One person was trapped under a capsized craft near the Havasu Landing Casino and drowned.
A man drowned on the California side of Lake Havasu. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 46 mph contributed to the drowning.
Numerous roads and intersections were flooded in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree, at least four homes were flooded, at least four vehicles were stranded, and at least six swift water rescues occurred. One man was killed when his vehicle was swept away by flood waters.
Three vehicles swept from Rodeo Dr. near Pebble Beach Park. Swift water rescues were conducted to rescue 3 people. One fatality was reported.
A flash flood at Mill Creek crossing...40 feet wide and 8 to 12 inches deep. The head of the flash flood was 3 to 4 feet deep. From Victor Valley news group: flood waters overtook a couple hiking. An off-duty sheriff's deputy heard the couple calling for help and was able to save…
Severe flooding impacted much of Joshua Tree. Many roads were covered with water, mud, and rocks. Several homes were flooded, including one which was destroyed. A one year old boy was swept away in his back yard before being rescued. One man died when his vehicle was swept down a…
CHP reported a flooded wash with multiple cars stuck in the area. 4 inches of rain recorded in gauge within 2 hours on the steep slope of big Mt Baldy. A hiker parked their car in the small town of Mt Baldy and hiked to the top. Hail and lightning caused them to go back down the …
Highway 95 was damaged and closed by flash flooding. One woman died when her vehicle was swept away by the flood.
Numerous streets in the Chino area were flooded with several inches or more of water after nearly a week of intense rainfall. A 67 year old woman from Pasadena drove her car around a barricade near Chino on Christmas night. The water was deep enough that her car floated about 150…
A was 40 year old female was struck and killed by lightning around 1530 PST while she was standing under a tree along the 8600 block of Bennett Avenue in Fontana. Some concrete nearby may have also been damaged due to the strike. Six men were leaning against a metal fence near El…
A wind gust from a thunderstorm snapped a pine tree along the 400 block of Catalina Road near Avalon Drive in Big Bear Lake. The tree fell on a passing vehicle, crushing the car and killing the driver.
A woman died when a flash flood suddenly came down a wash she was driving across, flipping her vehicle over and pinning her inside.
A Ford F-250 with two occupants was swept away by flood waters while crossing Mill Creek at Chino Corona Rd. One male occupant was rescued after he was found hypothermic and clinging to a tree. The 25 year-old female driver was found dead about one mile downstream the following m…
Heavy rains over the San Bernardino Mountains caused a torrent of mud and water to run down Lytle Creek. More than three feet of mud was deposited on Glen Helen Rd and Lytle Creek. One car was swept away and burried in the mud. No one was in the car at the time. A week later on O…
A tow truck driver was in the process of hooking up a winch to a stalled vehicle when lightning struck. The driver of the stalled car was killed and the tow truck driver was taken to the hospital.
A flash flood from a stationary thunderstorm just south of Twentynine Palms swept a car off the road killing two people inside the car and a good Samaritan who tried to rescue them.
A strong dust devil caused 14 injuries at a church gathering at Montera Elementary School when several large tents were lofted into the air. Two people were taken to the hospital. Skies were clear at the time with temperatures in the 90s.
Numerous homes across various communities in Lytle Creek experienced flash flooding and feet of mud/debris in and around the properties. Media reported about 30 homes were red tagged - deemed unsafe to inhabit.
Several hours of rain rates over 1/hr resulted in severe flash flooding and debris flow in Wrightwood. Numerous vehicles were trapped in mud/flood waters and creek bridge crossings, with several houses overtaken by mud and debris flow. Evacuation warnings were issued by San Berna…
Highway 62 was closed between El Rey Ave and Encelia Ave, with at least two feet of water and debris over the road. Numerous cars were stuck, and swift water rescues were needed. Nearly three feet of water and mud flowed through a motel, destroying the first floor.
Morongo Indian reservation had extensive mud, rock and logs in a major debris flow off the 2020 Apple burn scar which traveled down the San Gorgonio River. This inundated the Banning Water Plant and pushed mud, rocks and logs onto roads.
Highway 18 received 5 to 10 inches of rain with snow levels at 10,000 feet. Runoff caused extensive damage to the state highway and it was closed to all traffic through March 2. This affected Snow Valley snow sports which was closed for 3 weeks. Emergency repairs were day and nig…
Twenty-two bridges were damaged by flooding in the Essex/Danby area along National Trails Highway, five of which were completely destroyed. Amboy Road washed out just south of National Trails Highway.
Flood waters and related erosion caused a collapse of lane number 5 along Interstate 15. A fire truck and big rig were caught up and destroyed in the collapse. No injuries were reported but damages to the Interstate reached into the millions.
Seventeen buildings on Fort Irwin were flooded, several sinkholes developed, there was widespread road damage, and there was also damage to underground water and fiber optic systems.
Thunderstorm winds blew over five rail cars.
Interstate 40 was closed at Highway 95, as high water and thick mud stranded several vehicles. A 500 pound propane tank was washed off its foundation. Several stretches of BNSF track totaling about 2.6 miles in length were damaged, and a bridge in the Sacramento Wash was undermin…
Flash flooding at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin damaged over 160 buildings, with the elementary school suffering the most extensive damage.
The Mojave River overflowed its banks due to a combination of heavy rain and emergency release of water from Cedar Spring Dam near Arrowhead. Numerous roads were covered with mud and closed, one bridge was washed out, a broken levee flooded a neighborhood, and three swift water r…
San Bernardino County was the hardest hit county in California in terms of amount of damage due to the heavy rain at the end of December. County officials put the total damage amount (including public and private property of all types and labor to repair damage) at approximately …
U.S. Highway 95 was closed south of Interstate 40 due to flooding and roadway damage. Portions of the highway were closed for a week.
Heavy rain in the High Desert produced widespread flash flooding in the cities of Adelanto, Victorville, Hesperia, and Apple Valley. This area, on average, receives about 5 to 6 inches of rain per year. Most of these areas saw that amount of rain in just a few days. Runoff from t…
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 98 | 0 |
| 2024 | 49 | 0 |
| 2023 | 103 | 0 |
| 2022 | 145 | 0 |
| 2021 | 59 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | 43 | 1 |
| 2018 | 62 | 0 |
| 2017 | 39 | 1 |
| 2016 | 54 | 0 |
| 2015 | 84 | 1 |
| 2014 | 90 | 0 |
| 2013 | 48 | 1 |
| 2012 | 65 | 0 |
| 2011 | 43 | 0 |
| 2010 | 53 | 0 |
| 2009 | 14 | 0 |
| 2008 | 24 | 1 |
| 2007 | 19 | 0 |
| 2006 | 15 | 0 |
| 2005 | 91 | 1 |
| 2004 | 57 | 2 |
| 2003 | 54 | 0 |
| 2002 | 39 | 0 |
| 2001 | 55 | 2 |
| 2000 | 32 | 0 |
| 1999 | 43 | 0 |
| 1998 | 36 | 1 |
| 1997 | 37 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990 | 6 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 | 1 |
| 1985 | 4 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 |
| 1982 | 2 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 8 | 6 |
| 1975 | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 |
| 1972 | 3 | 0 |
| 1970 | 4 | 0 |
| 1966 | 3 | 1 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | 2 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in San Bernardino County, measured to its path.
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