Clatsop County, Oregon
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 41007 · population 41,036 · 828 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 832 records for Clatsop County, Oregon from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 542 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (571 records). 795 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the December 27, 2022 high wind, filed for the forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon, which covers the county: 3 deaths, 1 injury and $3.0 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1964, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 7, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 832on 542 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 2520 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $265Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 5strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 19latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Clatsop County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 571 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Oregon's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 571 | 377 | 1996-2025 | 7 | 7 | $124M | 1 of 36 |
| Winter storms | 122 | 93 | 1996-2025 | 3 | 0 | $1.0M | 10 of 36 |
| Floods | 52 | 43 | 1996-2023 | 1 | 1 | $136M | 4 of 36 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 31 | 29 | 2003-2025 | 13 | 10 | $831K | 3 of 36 |
| Heavy rain | 12 | 11 | 2001-2020 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 7 of 36 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 12 | 11 | 1996-2011 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 4 of 36 |
| Heat | 7 | 5 | 2006-2021 | 1 | 0 | – | 17 of 36 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 5 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 36 |
| Tornadoes | 5 | 5 | 1966-1998 | 0 | 1 | $455K | 5 of 36 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 36 |
| Hail | 4 | 4 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 20 of 36 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 4 | 3 | 1957-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 36 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2003-2006 | 0 | 0 | $146K | 1 of 36 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 1 | – | 18 of 36 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Clatsop County had?
NOAA records 5 tornadoes in Clatsop County from 1966 to 1998, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 5th of 36 Oregon counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 5 tornadoes whose track touched Clatsop County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 5, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Oregon.
Every tornado record filed for Clatsop County (5)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-01-05 | Seaside, Clatsop County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 1996-09-15 | Seaside, Clatsop County | F0 1.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1994-02-13 | Warrenton, Clatsop County | F0 0.1 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | $995 |
| 1967-10-03 | Clatsop County | F1 0.5 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1966-10-20 | Clatsop County | F0 0.1 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Clatsop County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 24, 2025 high wind (3 injuries and $2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
The Astoria-Megler Bridge ODT76 measured a peak gust of 76 mph 02/25 0106 PST, and was near or above 58 mph 1300 2/24 through 0700 2/25. Additionally the high winds caused a tree to strike a car carrying a family traveling near Seaside on U.S. 26 near milepost 8 - 3 people where injured, one seriously.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1236372)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-06 | Funnel CloudFt Stevens, Clatsop County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-07 | Funnel CloudCannon Beach, Clatsop County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-05 | High WindClatsop County · forecast zone Clatsop County Coast | 57 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-10-25 | High WindClatsop County · forecast zone Clatsop County Coast | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-24 | High SurfClatsop County · forecast zone Clatsop County Coast | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-24 | High WindClatsop County · forecast zone Clatsop County Coast | 66 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $2K |
| 2025-02-13 | Winter StormTillamook County and 4 more · forecast zone North Oregon Coast Range Lowlands | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-13 | Heavy SnowTillamook County and 4 more · forecast zone North Oregon Coast Range | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-04 | Heavy SnowTillamook County and 4 more · forecast zone North Oregon Coast Range | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-01-13 | Ice StormClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast | 0 | 0 | $633K | |
| 2023-05-12 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-12-27 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 51 kt wind | 3 | 1 | $3.0M |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-27 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon The maximum wind recorded was 32 mph with a gust of 59 mph. The high wind caused a tree to fall on a truck on US Highway 26 at 1130 PST on the 27th, killing 3 people and injuring one. The Highway 26 was then closed for most of the day. | 51 kt wind | 3 | 1 | $3.0M |
| 2021-10-25 | High SurfClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast A 42 foot Sail boat capsized in rough surf and ran aground at Nedonna Beach (south of Nehalem) resulting in two fatalities. | 2 | 0 | $11K | |
| 2018-06-06 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast A teen on a boogie board was swept out to sea at Rockaway Beach. When his father lost sight of him, the father went into the water to find his son but never returned. Both drowned. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2007-07-03 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast Three teenage swimmers were swept away from the beach of Cannon Beach, OR by a rip current. Two swimmers were able to escape the current, but one was swept into the sea. Cannon Beach's Surf Rescue Team along with Cannon Bach Life Guards were the first to respond. The Coast Guard was called, and searchers searched ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2007-07-03 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast Three teenage swimmers were swept away from the beach of Cannon Beach, OR by a rip current. Two swimmers were able to escape the current, but one was swept into the sea. Cannon Beach's Surf Rescue Team along with Cannon Bach Life Guards were the first to respond. The Coast Guard was called, and searchers searched ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2015-07-10 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast A man swimming along the coast near Tillamook was unable to swim to shore because of a rip current, and drowned. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2014-08-04 | High SurfClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast Media reports that a large sneaker wave took three people wading in the water near the north jetty of Tillamook out to see. Two of the people made it back to shore safely, but one did not, and was presumed to have drowned. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2014-07-22 | Rip CurrentClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast The Seaside Fire and Rescue received two seperate calls within 2 minutes of eachother to rescue a man that has been swept to sea by strong ocean currents in Seaside, OR. One man was pulled out of the ocean by 4 rescuers, and walked away with no known injuries. The other man was dragged 3 blocks south by the current, ... | 1 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-12-02 | High WindClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast | 112 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $89M |
| 1996-11-17 | FloodClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Coast | 1 | 1 | $70M | |
| 2007-12-02 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 64 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $29M |
| 2007-12-03 | Coastal FloodClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast | 0 | 0 | $26M | |
| 1996-12-07 | FloodClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Nw Douglas/Coos/Curry | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 1997-01-01 | FloodClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Coast | 0 | 0 | $13M | |
| 2015-12-10 | Coastal FloodClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Oregon Coast | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | |
| 1999-11-25 | FloodClatsop County and Tillamook County · forecast zone Northern Coast | 0 | 0 | $4.3M |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: October 20, 1966 (tornado, Clatsop County); October 3, 1967 (tornado, Clatsop County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Clatsop County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 197 | 130 | 184 | 60 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 18 | 55 | 24 | 25 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 27 | 8 | 5 | 12 |
| Rip currents and high surf | – | – | – | – | 0 | 7 | 11 | 13 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Landslides and avalanches | – | – | – | – | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Clatsop County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 172 · Feb 146 · Mar 93 · Apr 34 · May 4 · Jun 8 · Jul 8 · Aug 8 · Sep 17 · Oct 48 · Nov 127 · Dec 167 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Clatsop County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Clatsop County: 17 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and flood (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | DR-4907 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4499 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3429 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2016-02-17 | DR-4258 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2011-02-17 | DR-1956 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows |
| 2009-03-02 | DR-1824 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow |
| 2007-12-08 | DR-1733 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2007-02-22 | DR-1683 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| 2006-12-29 | DR-1672 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2006-03-20 | DR-1632 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3228 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-02-19 | DR-1510 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1996-03-19 | DR-1107 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and High Winds |
| 1996-02-09 | DR-1099 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-08-02 | DR-1036 | Fishing Losses | The El Nino (the Salmon Industry) |
| 1990-01-24 | DR-853 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1972-01-21 | DR-319 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1971-02-13 | DR-301 | Flood | Storms & Flooding |
| 1964-12-24 | DR-184 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Clatsop County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 52 flood or flash flood records for Clatsop County from 1996 to 2023, on 43 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Clatsop County ranks 1054th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.0 million on 160 claims filed in Clatsop County; the most in one year was 33 in 2007. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 8 · 1990: 5 · 1991: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1994: 2 · 1996: 17 · 1997: 4 · 1998: 5 · 1999: 16 · 2000: 4 · 2001: 2 · 2006: 22 · 2007: 33 · 2008: 3 · 2009: 5 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 2; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Clatsop County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clatsop County Relatively High overall, with an expected annual loss of $145 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami | Very High | $100M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Very High | $12M | 4.4 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $21M | once in about 52 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $41K | 3.8 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $209K | 3.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $47K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $163K | once in about 27 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Clatsop County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in OregonEvery Oregon tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- High wind and dust storms in OregonThe state's high wind and dust records, by county, year and month
- The Oregon recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Clatsop CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Clatsop County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis