Otero County, Colorado
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1953 and 2024, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
30
Tornado reports
219
Hail reports
39
Floods since 1996
445
All events
4
Deaths
$555K
Property damage
Tornado paths in Otero County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 30 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
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.
Sustained high flow releases from Pueblo Reservoir led to brief periods of minor flooding along the Arkansas River in La Junta (LXHC2) from June 12-13 and again on June 15. The LXHC2 stream gauge reported the first crest of 11.36 ft on June 12 and a second crest of 11.32 ft on Ju…
A microburst flipped over a 30-foot trailer home and killed the male occupant.
A 36-year old man was struck and killed by lightning while work outside on a farm.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Surface observations from KLHX.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Right lane of Hwy 50 flooded with one car stalled.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooded intersection at Highway 50 and Steen Ave, in La Junta, began at 8:55pm MDT. Road closed due to high water.
Flood Flood
Locally heavy rainfall (radar QPE estimated 1-2 inches) resulted in a quick rise and brief period of minor flooding along the Arkansas River in La Junta (LXHC2). The river crested just above Minor Flood Stage at 11.20 ft. at 6:15am MDT.
Hail Hail
One inch measured hail was reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station fw4234 at Fowler reported 67mph wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Four transmission power poles along US50 just west of Manzanola blown down. Numerous trees down in Otero county. Time based on radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported an 8 inch live tree limb blown off. Another dead tree was also blown down. 3/4 inch hail also occurred.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
ASOS at the La Junta Airport reported wind gusts from a severe thunderstorm, which measured 63 kts.
Hail Hail
Trained spotter reported mostly pea size hail, with quarter size mixed in.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured via the ASOS station (KLHX) airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
La Junta airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Highway 350 closed between mile marker 47 and 48 due to road damage and flooding.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Flood Flood
Reports of major flooding along Highway 50 and Highway 350 near La Junta. Multiple cars stuck in 3 feet of water.
Hail Hail
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
There was 0.98 inches that fell within an hour.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water in creek is over the road and bridge. Local estimates are that the creek is running at least 10 feet higher than normal.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported by La Junta surface observations.
Hail Hail
Reported from a trained spotter.
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Underpass flooded and impassable.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding over Highway 50 in spots between Reynolds Ave and CR 24.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Blown down power poll.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Two power poles blow over.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Blown down power pole.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Spotter reports Highway 50 is closed in La Junta due to flash flooding under railroad underpass.
Hail Hail
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Pictures from Otero county sheriffs office show minor structural damage to a residence north of Highway 50 and south of the Arkansas river, northeast of casa. Winds are estimated at 80 mph. The tornado continued to track towards the Otero and Bent county line before lifting.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Otero county sheriffs office reported numerous trees down across the county.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rainfall of 2.22 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rainfall of 2.50 inches.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 19 | 0 |
| 2022 | 23 | 1 |
| 2021 | 11 | 1 |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 1 |
| 2016 | 20 | 0 |
| 2015 | 10 | 1 |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 |
| 2013 | 8 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 | 1 |
| 2010 | 28 | 0 |
| 2009 | 9 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007 | 16 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 | 16 | 0 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 |
| 2001 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 8 | 0 |
| 1999 | 8 | 0 |
| 1998 | 18 | 2 |
| 1997 | 13 | 2 |
| 1996 | 13 | 0 |
| 1995 | 13 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | 7 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 8 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 | 4 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 |
| 1979 | 6 | 1 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 5 | 0 |
| 1973 | 3 | 0 |
| 1972 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 |
| 1969 | 2 | 0 |
| 1968 | 2 | 0 |
| 1967 | 6 | 0 |
| 1966 | 3 | 1 |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | 3 | 2 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1960 | 2 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | 3 | 1 |
| 1953 | 3 | 3 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Otero County, measured to its path.
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