Cowlitz storm history
Storm events recorded in Cowlitz, Washington between 1950 and 2025.
59
Total events
5
Tornadoes
3
Hail
27
Floods
1
Deaths
$256.4M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Washington State Patrol reported all lanes of I5 closed around exit 42 due to traffic accidents attributed to hail accumulating on pavement. Three to five vehicles involved in accidents. There was one fatality and one injury. Note: Hail size estimated from other reports in the re…
Widespread street flooding in Longview resulting in several businesses in the downtown area experiencing flooding. The first floor of the local Hospital also flooded due to heavy rain. Several videos received from the emergency manager and also noted from broadcast media reports.
The Cowlitz River flooded near Castle Rock and Kelso. The heavy rain caused a large land slide in Woodland that closed I-5 overnight.
The Cowlitz River at Kelso exceeded flood stage. Rises of the Kalama River resulted in flood damage of many businesses in Kalama including Motel 6, Remax, and the Burger Bar. Camp Kalama was closed due to flooding of the Kalama River. The I-5 offramp in Longview was closed due to…
Heavy rain resulted in multiple land slides between Longview and Kalama. Highway 30 and Kalama River Road were closed due to multiple slides and stranded some residents. A land slide hit a residence and trapped the owner with no injuries.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A short-lived waterspout over the Columbia River near the Lewis and Clark bridge at Longview occurred with multiple photos taken from the Lewis and Clark Bridge to the west. Indicated on radar and media reported.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain produced minor flooding along the Cowlitz River at Kelso. The river crested at 22.10 feet at 12 pm on December 6th. Flood stage is 21.5 feet. A landslide also occurred on the 503 Spur Road which cut off the community of Cougar in Cowlitz County.
Debris Flow Debris Flow
An atmospheric river that brought heavy rain caused a landslide that sent debris across I-5 north of Woodland, WA near milepost 24. Around 2.2 inches of rain fell in the Woodland area. Northbound lanes on I-5 were closed for more than 3 hours.
Flood Flood
Between 1 and 3 inches rain fell in the 24 hour leading to a culvert washout in the 2400 block of Tower Road in rural Cowlitz County, closing the road. There was also a landslide that blocked Stewart Creek Road in Longview.
Flood Flood
The gauge on the Cowlitz River at Kelso rose above flood stage of 21.5 feet at 1330PST, crested at 24.0 feet at 2130PST, the dropped below flood stage on the 7th at 2300PST. There were reports of several side road closed due to flood waters.
Flood Flood
The Cowlitz River at Kelso (KELW1) rose above flood stage on the morning of the 11th, created at 21.5 feet around 2000PST on the 11th, then fell below flood stage on the morning of the 12th.
Flood Flood
The Cowlitz River at Kelso rose above flood stage at 1315PST on the 13th, crested at 22.2 feet, then fell below flood stage 0100PST on the 14th. Flood stage is 21.5 feet.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Abernathy RAWS (ABNW1) reported a maximum wind of 36 mph gusting to 78 mph.
A Longview mill worker was struck by lightning, and taken to the hospital. This information was discovered from a local media source who wrote an article about the incident.
Flood Flood
Both ramps of I-5 northbound at Kalama exit 30 were closed and under water. Many other roads in the area were under water. Rain and runoff also created problems for Kalama's water treatment plant, prompting the city to shut the plant down due to high turbidity from slides along K…
Debris Flow Debris Flow
The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office said Kalama River Road was partially blocked in the 2800 block and was completely blocked in the 5000 block by landslides.
Flood Flood
Recent heavy rains in addition to snow melt upstream caused the Columbia River near Longview to flood. The river crested at 13.92 feet on March 30th, which is 0.42 feet above flood stage.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain in addition to high river levels on the Columbia River caused the Cowlitz River near Kelso to flood. The river crested at 22.10 feet, which is 0.60 feet above flood stage.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rain caused a landslide on Kalama River Road near Italian Creek Road, closing the road in both directions.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Additional heavy rain caused a landslide on I-5 near Woodland.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused the Cowlitz River near Kelso to flood. The river crested at 21.6 feet, which is 0.01 feet above flood stage.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud was observed by a NWS Employee from Interstate 5 near Kalama, Washington.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused the Cowlitz River near Kelso to flood. The river crested at 22.1 feet, which is 0.6 ft above flood stage.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Law enforcement confirmed that a tornado touched down near the Safeway in Longview, WA around 1240 PM. The tornado then traveled down Vandercook Way before dissipating near Main St. There was significant roof damage to industrial buildings, minor roof damage to residential buildi…
Flood Flood
Heavy rain combined with snowmelt runoff to produce flooding on the Cowlitz River. The Cowlitz River near Kelso crested at 21.5 feet on January 16th at 20:50 PST.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused flooding along the Cowlitz and Coweman Rivers which resulted in the evacuation of 4000 people.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused the Cowlitz River near Kelso to overflow its banks and flood parts of Cowlitz County.
Flood Flood
Heavy rainfall caused the Lewis River to overflow its banks and flood sections of Woodland. The Woodland airport among other areas nearby was underwater.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused major flooding on the Cowlitz River near Castle Rock.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rain resulted high water covering highway 503 near milepost 32.
Flood Flood
The Cowlitz River flooded near Kelso, causing only minor flooding.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Storm total precipitation was 5.16 inches.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Storm total precipitation was 6.42 inches at the Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center on Mt. St. Helens.
Hail Hail
Hail was reported by Yale Reservoir Employee.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A total accumulation of 1.90 inches was reported at the Abernathy Mountain RAWS.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A total accumulation of 2.13 inches was reported at Castle Rock.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A total accumulation of 1.71 inches was reported at Washougal.
Flood Flood
The Cowlitz River at Castle Rock crested at 49.8 feet on November 7th, with a flood stage of 48.0 feet.
Flood Flood
The Lewis River at Woodland crested at 24.7 feet on November 7th, with a flood stage of 24.0 feet.
Flood Flood
The Cowlitz River at Kelso crested at 23.1 feet on November 7th, with a flood stage of 21.5 feet.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Recorded a 5-day total of 11.2 inches reported at Abernathy Mtn. RAWS.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Recorded a 5-day total of 11.0 inches at Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center.
Flood Flood
Flood Flood
Flood Flood
Flood Flood
Flood Flood
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tornado F0 Tornado
Cowlitz county dispatch received several reports of a tornado that touched down on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, crossed the river to the mouth of the Kalama River as a waterspout, and moved onshore on the Washington side as a tornado. The tornado reportedly knocked down…
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 |
| 2006 | 9 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |