Washoe County, Nevada
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1957 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
13
Tornado reports
40
Hail reports
56
Floods since 1996
325
All events
1
Deaths
$23.2M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Washoe County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 12 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.
Law enforcement and the public reported significant flash flooding and debris flows impacting most of the Hidden Valley community in east Reno. Six homes suffered major damage or have been destroyed.
Nevada State Police reported flooding on I-80 between Wells Ave and Virginia St prompting the closure of I-80 westbound lanes. Also, University of Nevada Reno reported flooding of buildings on campus and there was flooding reported throughout J Casino.
Highway 446 was destroyed by flood waters in more than 10 places on the southwest side of Pyramid Lake. Some sections were left with nearly 50-foot deep ravines. The highway was not re-opened to the public until early March. Repair cost based on Nevada Department of Transportatio…
A levee along Steamboat Creek failed and flooded the University of Nevada - Reno agricultural farm in east Reno. Around 1,800 animals were evacuated to higher ground, but 344 sheep drowned in the floodwaters. The Industrial Area in east Sparks suffered flooding, with an estimated…
Hail Hail
The public reported 1 inch diameter hail 2 miles ESE of Sparks, NV.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Station JSPN2 Juniper Springs measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 86 mph.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash flooding was reported long I-80 between Vista Blvd in Sparks, Nevada and Lockwood, Nevada. Camera networks and law enforcement reported water up to a foot deep, blocking the interstate.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Law enforcement and public reported flash flooding in Spanish Springs. This included a house flooded on Moonbeam Drive as well as water one to two feet deep at the intersection of Talking Sparrow Drive and Garnet Star Way.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
KRNO measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph. Also, mesonet station NV013 Northwest Reno measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Nevada Department of Transportation reported a road closure due to flooding and debris on both the westbound and eastbound I-80 near Derby Dam.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Minor debris and roadway flooding on South Rock Blvd along both directions near Hymer Ave in Sparks. Additional flooding was reported throughout the city of Sparks, with rainfall estimations up to 1.15 inches.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
SR-447 closed from Church Street in Nixon to the Pershing Washoe County line.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported throughout Incline Village, with multiple reports of closed roads. Upwards of 2.22 inches of rain had fallen over the area.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding over portions of I-80 near USA Parkway reported by a member of the public via social media. The nearest mesonet station recorded 1.41 inches of rain.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 57 mph thunderstorm outflow wind gust 4.6 miles northeast of Schurz.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The mesonet station 9 miles W of the Needle Rocks. Additional thunderstorm gusts included 53 mph at Locklock ASOS station, and a 44 mph outflow gust 4 miles SE of New Washoe City.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Recorded at Reno International Airport.
Debris Flow Debris Flow
Public reported a mudslide and rockslide due to heavy rain with vehicles stuck in the mud. Radar estimates 1-2 inches of rainfall for the event.
Hail Hail
At the intersection of Veterans Pkwy and Piper Peak Lane in Reno. There were also several reports of one inch and 0.75 inch diameter hail in south Reno.
Hail Hail
Public reported 1 inch hail in south Reno. There were also multiple reports of 0.75 inch hail and accumulating hail throughout the city.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Nevada DOT Reno reported flooding on Rock Blvd which prompted the closure of the road near I-80.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak outflow gust at mesonet station CW8738 in Reno.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Desert Research Institute mesonet station at Mogul Park recorded 1.68 inches of rainfall.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
CoCoRaHS Station NV-WH-19, 9W of Reno reported 0.85 inches of rain.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A trained spotter located 3.0 mi NE of Spanish Springs, NV, reported a 24hr rainfall storm total of 1.06 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A COCORAHS station (NV-WH-39 Reno) located 7.0 mi NNE of Washoe City, NV, reported a 24hr rainfall storm total of 0.70 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
CoCORAHS (NV-WH-39 Reno) located 7.0 mi NNE of Washoe City, NV, a trained spotter located 1.0 mi NNW of Incline Village, NV, and Cocorahs station (NV-WH-188 Lakeview) located 3.0 mi WNW of Lakeview, NV, reported 24 hour storm total rainfall of 0.73 inches, 1.04 inches, and 1.31 i…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (LTVN2) located 3.0 miles E of Diamond Peak Ski Base, NV, reported a 24 hour rainfall total of 0.60 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (SCRN2) located 5.0 mi NE of Washoe City, NV, and another mesonet station (LVYN2-Little Valley) located 2.0 mi ESE of Diamond Peak Ski base, NV, reported a 24 hour rainfall totals of 0.94 inches, and 0.52 respectively.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A trained Spotter located 1.0 mi NNW of Incline Village, NV, and a COCORAHS station (NV-WH-74 Reno) located 3.0 mi E of Verdi, NV, reported 24hr rainfall storm totals of 0.60 inches, and 0.42 inches respectively.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (FW0371-Gerlach) located in Gerlach, NV, reported 24 hour rainfall totaling 0.57 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet stations (2306D) located at Incline Village, NV, a Trained Spotter located 1.0 mi NNW of Incline Village, NV, and a mesonet station (SW0254) located 1.0 mi NE of Crystal Bay, NV, reported 24hr rainfall storm totals of 0.78 inches, 0.62 inches, and 0.56 inches respectively…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet station (MRSN2) located at the Mount Rose Summit (SNOTEL) reported 24hr rainfall storm totals of 0.5 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (FOXN2-Fox Mountain) located 27.0 mi NNW of Gerlach, NV, and a mesonet station (JSPN2-Juniper Springs) located 36.0 mi S of Vya, NV, reported total rainfall amounts of 0.58 and 0.84 inches respectively.
Flood Flood
Law enforcement reported 0.25 mi SW of Sparks, NV, of ponding water over the roadway causing a portion of Rock Blvd to be temporarily closed.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station NSPA (DRI) located 2.8 mi S of Sparks, NV, reported a total rainfall amount of 0.54 inches.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
County official reported 4.0 mi WSW of Lockwood, NV, road closures between Hidden Highlands Drive and Sleepy Hollow Drive due to flash flooding in the area of Hidden Valley. About 100 homes were affected by the flooding.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station LTVN2(SNOTEL) located 4.2 mi S of Mount Rose Summit reported a total rainfall amount of 0.50 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Mesonet stations (MRSN2) located at the Mount Rose Summit (SNOTEL), mesonet station (MRNL2) located 4.4 mi N of Spooner Summit, NV (SNOTEL), and mesonet station (SHEN2) located 5.0 mi NW of Catnip Mountain, NV (SNOTEL) reported 24hr rainfall storm totals of 1.2 inches, 1.0 inches…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (SCRN2) located 5.5 mi. N of New Washoe City, and mesonet station (AV157) located 2.0 mi WNW of Stead, NV, reported rainfall storm totals of 1.39 inches and 1.01 inches respectively.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (LCHN-Sheldon NWR) located 13.0 mi W of Catnip Mountain, NV, reported a rainfall storm total of 0.82 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A CoCoRahs station (NV-WH-161-Incline Village) located 1.3 mi S of Crystal Bay, CA, and a CO-OP observer station (INVN2) located in 1.2 mi E of Incline Village, NV, reported 24 hour rainfall storm totals of 0.60 inches and 0.55 inches respectively.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (LVYN2-Little Valley) located 2.0 mi ESE of Diamond Peak Ski resort reported a storm total rainfall amount of 0.55 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A mesonet station (LVYN2-Little Valley) located 2.0 mi ESE of Diamond Peak Ski resort reported a storm total rainfall amount of 0.55 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
The public located 5.0 mi NNW of Spanish Springs, NV, a mesonet station (WRUN) located 6.7 mi N of Washoe City, NV, a mesonet station (CW1177-Reno) located 3.0 mi ESE of Stead, NV, and a mesonet station (DESN2-Desert Springs) located 4.0 mi NW of Spanish Springs, NV, reported tot…
Debris Flow Debris Flow
Broadcast Media reported Geiger Grade (NV-341) located 5.0 mi NNW of Virginia City, NV, was closed in both directions between Rim Rock Drive to Cartwright Road due to rock and mudslides. The heaviest rainfall occurred between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.
Hail Hail
An official NWS observation located 2.0 mi SSW of Sun Valley, NV, and the public located in Old Sparks, NV, both reported half inch (dime size) hail.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
An ASOS located at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a COCORAHS (NV-WH-2 Reno) located 1.4 mi NNE of Reno, NV, and a COCORAHS (NV-WH-133 Reno) located 1.7 mi WSW of Reno, NV, reported 24 hour rainfall totals of 0.84 inches, 0.91 inches, and 0.93 inches respectively.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A trained spotter located 4.0 mi SSW of Reno, NV, reported a 24 hour rainfall total of 1.04 inches, as well as one inch storm total snowfall.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 19 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 23 | 0 |
| 2018 | 50 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 |
| 2013 | 12 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 | 7 | 1 |
| 2003 | 13 | 2 |
| 2002 | 20 | 1 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 | 3 | 1 |
| 1999 | 7 | 1 |
| 1998 | 7 | 1 |
| 1997 | 7 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 4 | 2 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 4 | 2 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 2 | 0 |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 |
| 1964 | 1 | 1 |
| 1957 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Washoe County, measured to its path.
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