Columbia County, Oregon
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 41009 · population 52,498 · 659 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 412 records for Columbia County, Oregon from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 283 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (222 records). 381 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 17 declarations naming the county since 1964, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds” on September 15, 2020.
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
- 412on 283 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 107 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $192Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 5strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 2020
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 Columbia County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 222 since 1996. 49% of its high wind and dust records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 | 222 | 151 | 1996-2024 | 6 | 4 | $34M | 7 of 36 |
| Winter storms | 114 | 84 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $509K | 7 of 36 |
| Floods | 34 | 30 | 1996-2022 | 2 | 2 | $156M | 8 of 36 |
| Heat | 9 | 6 | 2006-2022 | 2 | 0 | – | 11 of 36 |
| Heavy rain | 9 | 7 | 2001-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 36 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 8 | 8 | 1996-2011 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 5 of 36 |
| Tornadoes | 5 | 5 | 1965-2020 | 0 | 1 | $242K | 4 of 36 |
| Hail | 3 | 3 | 1955-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 21 of 36 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 1997-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 36 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 30 of 36 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 2 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 36 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 1 | 1 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 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 Columbia County had?
NOAA records 5 tornadoes in Columbia County from 1965 to 2020, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 4th 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County (5)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | St Helens, Columbia County | EF0 1.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $46K |
| 2004-06-06 | Rainier, Columbia County | F0 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-04-28 | St Helens, Columbia County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 1 | $60K |
| 1978-08-16 | Columbia County | F1 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1965-11-10 | Columbia County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 Columbia County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the December 27, 2022 high wind (3 deaths, 1 injury and $3.0 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
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.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1100799)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-13 | Winter StormColumbia County · forecast zone Lower Columbia River | 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 | – | |
| 2022-12-27 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 51 kt wind | 3 | 1 | $3.0M |
| 2021-06-26 | Excessive HeatColumbia County · forecast zone Lower Columbia | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2020-11-10 | TornadoSt Helens, Columbia County | EF0 1.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $46K |
| 2020-09-07 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 80 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $570K |
| 2016-03-09 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 56 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $6K |
| 2015-12-21 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 62 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $25K |
| 2015-12-09 | FloodVernonia, Columbia County | 1 | 1 | $2.9M | |
| 2015-12-08 | FloodVernonia, Columbia County | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 2012-11-18 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 56 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
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 |
| 2021-06-26 | Excessive HeatColumbia County · forecast zone Lower Columbia Record breaking temperatures for 3 days in a row. Scappoose (KSPB) recorded high temperatures of 107, 112, and 116 F. Two heat related deaths were reported. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2015-12-09 | FloodVernonia, Columbia County The Nehalem River near Vernonia flooded Vernonia resulting in evacuation of residents and damage to many buildings and vehicles. A bridge washed out on TImber Road and isolated the Glenwood Community. There was also significant flooding in St Helens, where 17 homes were evacuated, and many roads were damaged and ... | 1 | 1 | $2.9M | |
| 2006-01-01 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon A strong low pressure system moving northward just off the Oregon Coast caused high winds. Clatsop Spit recorded sustained winds of 48 mph with a gust to 64 mph; Garibaldi had 46 gusting to 58 mph; Yaquina Bay bridge reported 43 gusting to 55 mph; and Sea Lion Cave had a gust to 59 mph. Numerous reports of downed ... | 50 kt wind | 1 | 1 | – |
| 1996-11-17 | FloodClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Coast A moist southwest flow aloft produced moderate to heavy rain and strong winds over southwest Oregon between Nov 17 and Nov 21. Storm total rainfall ranged from 8 to 12 inches on the coast with local amounts near 20 inches...3 to 7 inches of rainfall fell inland. Flooding was extensive in Coos, Curry and Douglas ... | 1 | 1 | $70M | |
| 2016-03-09 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon A couple of weather reporting stations measured wind gusts up to 65 mph. The winds downed several large trees including one that fell onto a moving vehicle resulting in a fatality. | 56 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $6K |
| 2012-11-18 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon Strong winds were reported at Cedar RAWS and Tidewater RAWS with gusts to 56 kts. | 56 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2015-12-21 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon A couple of weather stations measured sustained winds of 46 mph with peak gusts between 69 and 71 mph. A 50 ft fir tree was downed and partially snapped. Highway 26 was closed due to downed trees. One tree fell on a car with injuries reported by the media. | 62 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $25K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-11-17 | FloodClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Southern Coast | 1 | 1 | $70M | |
| 2007-12-03 | FloodVernonia, Columbia County | 0 | 0 | $51M | |
| 2007-12-02 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 64 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $29M |
| 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 | |
| 2022-12-27 | High WindClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 51 kt wind | 3 | 1 | $3.0M |
| 2015-12-09 | FloodVernonia, Columbia County | 1 | 1 | $2.9M | |
| 2007-12-11 | Debris FlowClatsop County and 4 more · forecast zone Coast Range Of Nw Oregon | 0 | 0 | $2.1M |
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: August 16, 1978 (tornado, Columbia 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 Columbia 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 | – | – | – | – | 130 | 24 | 59 | 9 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 50 | 29 | 26 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 22 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
49% of its high wind and dust records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 87 · Feb 107 · Mar 44 · Apr 17 · May 2 · Jun 5 · Jul 6 · Aug 6 · Sep 3 · Oct 13 · Nov 48 · Dec 74 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Columbia County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Columbia County: 15 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (8) and flood (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-15 | DR-4562 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4499 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3429 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-08-08 | DR-4328 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2016-02-17 | DR-4258 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2012-03-02 | DR-4055 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| 2006-03-20 | 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) |
| 1974-01-25 | DR-413 | Flood | Severe Storms, Snowmelt & 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 Columbia County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 34 flood or flash flood records for Columbia County from 1996 to 2022, on 30 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Columbia County ranks 574th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $21.0 million on 432 claims filed in Columbia County; the most in one year was 240 in 2007. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 3 · 1986: 1 · 1987: 2 · 1990: 2 · 1991: 2 · 1992: 1 · 1995: 3 · 1996: 121 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 3 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 240 · 2009: 3 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 26 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2025: 1; 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 Columbia County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Columbia County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $33.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $15M | once in about 46 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.7M | 4.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $62K | 5.6 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $14M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Low | $159K | 2.5 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $58K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $507K | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $30K | 13 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Columbia 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 Columbia CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Columbia County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis