PlainHazard

Washington County, Colorado

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 08121 · population 4,806 · 2,518 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,319 records for Washington County, Colorado from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 599 days; the most frequent are hail reports (678 records). The most damaging was the September 15, 2013 flood ($13.0 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1965, 11 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes” on August 25, 2023.

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
1,319on 599 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
08 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$27Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
213strongest F3
FEMA declarations
13latest 2023

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 Washington County most?

The most frequent records are hail reports: 678 since 1955. 51% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Colorado's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Washington County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Hail 678 282 1955-2026 0 0 $2.3M 19 of 63
Severe thunderstorm wind 228 148 1955-2026 0 0 $457K 14 of 63
Tornadoes 213 103 1952-2026 0 4 $4.0M 11 of 63
High wind and dust storms 79 79 1996-2026 0 0 – 45 of 63
Winter storms 69 67 1996-2024 0 0 – 57 of 63
Floods 29 26 1996-2023 0 4 $21M 38 of 63
Extreme cold 11 11 1996-2026 0 0 – 42 of 63
Drought 4 4 2002-2021 0 0 – 39 of 63
Heavy rain 3 2 2004-2026 0 0 – 49 of 63
Lightning 3 3 2002-2005 0 0 $41K 40 of 63
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 2 2 1996-1996 0 0 – 46 of 63

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 Washington County had?

NOAA records 213 tornadoes in Washington County from 1952 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 4 injuries recorded in the county. That is 11th of 63 Colorado 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 235 tornadoes whose track touched Washington County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 213: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Washington County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2023-08-08 16:39, as SPC files itYumaEF315.65 mi0
1996-05-30 16:25, as SPC files itUnnamedF30.5 mi0
1993-07-21 20:32, as SPC files itUnnamedF312 mi0
1975-05-10 14:45, as SPC files itAkronF38 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Colorado.

Every tornado record filed for Washington County (213)
The 60 most recent of 213 tornadoes in Washington County
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-05-21 Thurman, Washington County EFU 0.14 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2026-05-21 Thurman, Washington County EFU 0.95 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2026-05-21 Thurman, Washington County EFU 0.34 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2025-05-23 Messex, Washington County EF2 8.36 mi x 400 yd 0 0 –
2024-07-12 Burdett, Washington County EFU 0.59 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-19 Lindon, Washington County EFU 0.21 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2024-04-25 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.25 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-08-08 Otis, Washington County EF1 6.45 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Anton, Washington County EFU 1.02 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Anton, Washington County EFU 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EF2 4.93 mi x 800 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.79 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Woodrow, Washington County EFU 3.66 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Messex, Washington County EF1 0.08 mi x 14 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron Weather Station, Washington County EF2 4.52 mi x 400 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.76 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 4.33 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.55 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 1.93 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 1.93 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 1.25 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.76 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.6 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.54 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.42 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.91 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.36 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.76 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.28 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EF1 0.95 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Akron, Washington County EFU 0.28 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.57 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.47 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 1.03 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.57 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 1.6 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.2 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EF2 1.85 mi x 400 yd 0 0 $15K
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.24 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.69 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.51 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.3 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-06-21 Platner, Washington County EFU 0.66 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-26 Elba, Washington County EFU 0.01 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-10 Woodrow, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-10 Midway, Washington County EF0 4.18 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-10 Akron Airport, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-10 Akron Weather Station, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2023-05-10 Akron, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2021-07-03 Burdett, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2021-05-23 Woodrow, Washington County EF0 0.69 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2021-05-23 Akron Airport, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2021-05-23 Midway, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2021-05-22 Midway, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2020-08-15 Akron, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2020-08-15 Midway, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2020-08-15 Akron, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2020-07-02 Lindon, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2020-07-02 Elba, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2020-07-02 Midway, Washington County EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –

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 Washington County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the August 8, 2023 thunderstorm wind ($29,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Very strong winds flipped a small barn on its side and caused minor shingle damage to a manufactured home.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1130713)
The 12 most recent records kept for Washington County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-24 Heavy RainAkron Airport, Washington County 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Heavy RainAkron, Washington County 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Thunderstorm WindAkron Weather Station, Washington County 61 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Thunderstorm WindAkron, Washington County 62 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Thunderstorm WindAkron, Washington County 68 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-24 HailArickaree, Washington County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Thunderstorm WindElba, Washington County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-24 Thunderstorm WindAkron Weather Station, Washington County 72 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-24 HailElba, Washington County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-24 HailElba, Washington County 1.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-24 HailWoodrow, Washington County 1.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-24 HailWoodrow, Washington County 1.75 in hail 0 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Washington County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1967-06-06 TornadoWashington County F1 0 4 $3K step
2004-08-04 Flash FloodCentral Portion, Washington County Strong thunderstorms, producing up to 3 inches of rain, triggered flash flooding over parts of central Washington County. The floodwaters tipped over a mobile home. The occupants suffered only minor injuries. A deputy patrolling the area was also caught in the floodwaters, as his vehicle was washed approximately 100 ... 0 3 –
2014-09-29 Flash FloodBurdett, Washington County Strong thunderstorms producing up to 4 inches of rainfall, caused flash flooding. State Highway 61 was closed following an accident involving a semi-truck. Several sections of the highway experienced flooding. Extensive flooding was also observed in fields and ditches north and west along the highway towards Sterling. ... 0 1 $249K

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.

The costliest records in Washington County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2013-09-15 FloodMessex, Washington County 0 0 $13M
2015-06-15 FloodMessex, Washington County 0 0 $6.8M
1996-06-24 HailAkron, Washington County 2.00 in hail 0 0 $2.3M
1996-05-30 TornadoElba, Washington County F3 0.5 mi x 1,320 yd 0 0 $564K
1998-09-19 Thunderstorm WindAnton, Washington County 0 0 $362K
2014-09-29 Flash FloodBurdett, Washington County 0 1 $249K
2023-08-08 Thunderstorm WindHyde, Washington County 78 kt wind 0 0 $29K
2013-04-08 Thunderstorm WindAkron, Washington County 80 kt wind 0 0 $25K

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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 26, 1952 (tornado, Washington 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 Washington 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).

Washington County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Hail6953291242168125
Severe thunderstorm wind2119427474385
Tornadoes9891235294962
High wind and dust storms––––6261631
Winter storms––––6242118
Floods––––41483

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

51% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 20 · Feb 16 · Mar 35 · Apr 92 · May 253 · Jun 381 · Jul 213 · Aug 184 · Sep 61 · Oct 19 · Nov 21 · Dec 24 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Washington County

FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Washington County: 9 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (6) and biological (2).

Declarations including Washington County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2023-08-25DR-4731FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
2020-03-28DR-4498BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3436BiologicalCovid-19
2015-07-16DR-4229FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2013-09-14DR-4145FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2013-09-12EM-3365FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2007-01-07EM-3270SnowstormSnow
2005-09-05EM-3224Coastal StormHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2002-06-19DR-1421FireWildfires
2001-05-17DR-1374Severe StormSevere Winter Storms
1973-05-23DR-385FloodHeavy Rains, Snowmelt and Flooding
1969-05-19DR-261FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1965-06-19DR-200TornadoTornadoes, Severe Storms & 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.

FEMA's modeled risk for Washington County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.3 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Washington County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
HailRelatively Moderate$604K6.6 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$611K1.9 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Low$797K2.7 a year (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Low$95K53 modeled event-days a year
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$35K11 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$31Konce in about 11 years (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$481K3.2 a year (modeled)
WildfireVery Low$71Konce in about 1,582 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Washington County

  1. Yuma County 1,840
  2. Kit Carson County 1,688
  3. Arapahoe County 1,390
  4. Washington County 1,319
  5. Adams County 1,310
  6. Lincoln County 1,100
  7. Logan County 1,062
  8. Morgan County 993

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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