Pierce storm history
Storm events recorded in Pierce, Washington between 1950 and 2025.
34
Total events
9
Tornadoes
1
Hail
3
Floods
0
Deaths
$49.5M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
There was flooding along the Puyallup River, some homes and businesses in Sumner flooded. Towns along the river had evacuation orders in place. Several roads in the area were also flooded, including 3 lanes of I-5 in Fife. Several small cities in eastern Pierce county, including …
Record flooding occurred on the Cowlitz, Nooksack, Puyallup, Nisqually, Skykomish, Stillaguamish, Carbon, Snoqualmie, and Bogachiel. Major flooding occurred on the Tolt, Snohomish, Skokomish, Skagit, and White rivers. Other rivers flooding were the Satsop, Cedar, Wynoochee, Elwha…
Mt Rainier National Park received about 18 inches of rain in two days. The rain and resulting landslides washed out roads and trails, severed sewer, water and power lines and damaged campgrounds. In all, the damage was the worst in the 107 years of the park's existence and closed…
Debris Flow Debris Flow
The Tacoma News Tribune reported a landslide over the West Valley Highway, north of Sumner, between 24 St E and Jovita Blvd E.
Debris Flow Debris Flow
The Tacoma News Tribune reported a landslide near Buckley, WA at 239 Ave E and South Prairie Rd.
Flood Flood
Trailers in an RV park were flooded.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A landslide closed southbound Schuster Parkway in Tacoma on the afternoon of Oct 10th after a burst of heavy rain moved through Pierce County. The heavy rain and wind also caused sporadic power outages and some spinouts elsewhere in Pierce County. A part of I-705 was also closed …
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Tornado starting from about 4 miles wsw of Gig Harbor dissipating just ene of Gig Harbor. Tornado determination based on eye-witness reports and video. Maximum intensity EF1. Wind up to 110 mph. Path length 4.1 miles. Maxmimum width up to 175 yards.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
The tornado destroyed a carport at one house. The trestles were also cracked inside of the garage. A utility pole was bent back (leaning) which was being supported by a digger. The garbage can was found in the trees; the trees were damaged. Several shingles were ripped from roofs…
Tornado EF1 Tornado
EF1 tornado on the ground for 5 minutes or less. Path length about 1 mile. Width 75 yards. Max wind speed estimated at 110 mph. Key damage - tore off part of the roof of businesses at NW Door and again at Encon across the street, and on the Fredrickson Boeing Plant facility blew …
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy rain inundated more than 60 units in a mini storage business in Tacoma. Tacoma's environmental services crews responded to 76 calls of flooding due to heavy rain.
Lightning Lightning
Lightning struck a home and damaged several electrical items inside.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds knocked down trees which caused local power outages and damage. In Edgewood a tree fell on a home.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A brief funnel cloud was observed over Buckley.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Confirmed EF1 tornado with estimated wind speed 100-110 mph. Maximum width was 170 yards. On ground intermittently over a 9.6 mile path length for 16 minutes.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Several roads in eastern Pierce county were washed out by heavy rain.
Hail Hail
A trained NWS spotter reported nickel size hail and occasional lightning while traveling in pierce county.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud, which lasted less than a minute, was spotted near Orting.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Lightning struck a chain link fence outside a mobile home. The lightning traveled through the metal skirting beneath a mobile home, damaging it and injuring the woman inside.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud was sighted in the Gig Harbor area.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Tornado F1 Tornado
A tornado downed numerous trees, damaged several dozen houses, and destroyed 1 metal barn.
Lightning struck a maple tree, then the man who owned the tree went outside to examine the damage, when a second lightning strike hit near the tree, traveled through the ground and shocked him. He suffered burns to his head, chest and feet, while the first lightning strike damage…
Lightning Lightning
Tornado F1 Tornado
A weak tornado touched down in a south Tacoma neighborhood just east of I-5. A church suffered roof and beam damage and several trees were pushed over or snapped off. There were also some downed fences.
Lightning Lightning
Tornado F0 Tornado
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tornado F0 Tornado
Tornado Tornado
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | 1 | 1 |