Wheeler County, Oregon
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1957 and 2022, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
1
Tornado reports
22
Hail reports
13
Floods since 1996
48
All events
1
Deaths
$1.0M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Wheeler County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 1 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.
A man and the horse he was riding were killed when they were struck by lightning on May Ridge.
Hail Hail
An amateur radio operator reported hail stones up to 1 inch in diameter 3 miles N of Spray, OR.
Hail Hail
Flood Flood
John Day River at Service Creek crested at 13.6 feet at 0900 on the 21st. Flood stage is 11.5 feet.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Total rainfall of 1.67 inches was recorded just east of Mitchell. This heavy rain over a short period of time triggered a flash flood through Huddleston Heights and Nelson Street, and off of High Street and Rosenbaum with mud and debris blocking roads in and around the town of Mi…
Flood Flood
Numerous sections of Oregon Highway 19 and 207 were closed due to water over road and damage to road surfaces. Numerous county roads were damaged with rock and mudslides as well as plugged culverts. Flooding was reported in the city park in Spray.
Hail Hail
Estimated hail of 1.00 inch reported at Hancock Field Station, 2 miles ENE of Clarno in Wheeler county. Very heavy rain with minor flooding also occurred.
Flood Flood
The John Day river near Service Creek, ( flood stage 11.5) crested at 12.0 feet at 1815 on March 16th, fell below flood stage and then rose again to 12.1 feet at 1900 on March 19th. Fell below flood stage 0600 on the 20th.
Flood Flood
The John Day River at Service Creek briefly rose to 12.2 feet (flood stage is 11.5 feet). This was the result of an ice jam near Monument Oregon, blocking the river and then breaking free, sending the large volume of water downstream.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
We received a lower quality cell phone video captured from the general public that showed what could potentially be a tornado. The observer felt very confident that it was. No damage reported as it was over rural area.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Driver witnessed the tornado then drove through the rear flank downdraft where they observed damaging wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail accompanied by heavy rainfall and downed one tree limb.
Hail Hail
Observer also reported minor flooding on Butte Creek. The hail caused damage to an RV.
Flood Flood
The John Day River near Service Creek crested at 15.2 on May 17th, which was 3.7 feet above flood stage.
Flood Flood
Only minor flooding observed. The John Day River at Service Creek crested at 13.72 which was 2.22 feet above flood stage.
Flood Flood
The John Day River at Service Creek crested at 12.5 feet on June 5 at 5 am. Flood stage is 11.5 feet.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Spotter reported estimated gust to 65 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trained spotter reported gust to 69 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Six large juniper trees were uprooted or split. Other trees lost large limbs. A 25 foot section of 1/8 inch steel panel was blown off a cow shelter.
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Rainfall of 1.75 inches in 2 hours and 2.60 inches storm total. Public property damage occurred due to several county roads being washed out in the Twickenham area.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail accompanied by estimated 55 mph wind gust.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Power lines downed.
A group rafting the John Day River encountered large hail and strong winds at Burnt Ranch Rapids. Wind blown spume and spray from the river reduced visibility to 40 yards. One hail stone hit a rafter's head and caused swelling.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A power pole was blown down due to strong winds. In addition, 0.50 inches of rain fell in 15-20 minutes.
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash Flooding was reported between Spray and Service Creek.
Hail Hail
Half-dollar size hail was reported by a weather spotter.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Priest Hole Fire was a lightning sparked fire which consumed 680 acres.
Lightning Lightning
Lightning caused a 6000 acre fire that burned for around 5 days near Sentinal Peak.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Wildfire Wildfire
More than 8,000 acres burned in the Clarno area. Warm temperatures, dry air, and wind hampered fire fighting efforts. One outbuilding and a private vehicle were destroyed by the fire. Three air tankers and a helicopter were used to help put out the fire.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A three foot wall of water came down Alder Creek and the water level stayed up for two and a half hours.
Hail Hail
Dize sized hail fell in Fossil with heavy rain.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A thunderstorm produced heavy rain and 1/4 inch hail that covered the ground in Mitchell. The heavy rain washed out some culverts along the west branch of Bridge Creek south of Mitchell.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rain caused a mudslide that closed both lanes of Highway 26 thirty-eight miles east of Mitchell at mile post 26.
Hail Hail
Weather spotters reported hail between 0.5 and 1.25 inches.
Hail Hail
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Wheeler County, measured to its path.
We couldn’t get your location. Check that location access is allowed for this site, or type an address.