Sussex County, Delaware tornadoes

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28confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: June 30, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Sussex County

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The record

At a glance

Total281950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthAugust7 of 28
StrongestEF3Apr 1, 2023
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries26whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Sussex County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 4May: 3Jun: 5Jul: 6Aug: 7Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 7 of 28 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 1: 09 AM: 0: 1: 312 PM: 4: 0: 03 PM: 3: 7: 66 PM: 0: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 4: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 22020: 1: 1: 0: 2: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
11
EF1
13
EF2
3
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

EF3, April 1, 2023

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 1, 2023

14.3 mile path Longest path

18 miles, F1

May 8, 1984, whole path Widest

700 yards, EF3

April 1, 2023
Every tornado

All 28 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 30, 2025EF00.5 mi100 yd00
May 16, 2025EF111.3 mi600 yd00
Sep 11, 2023EF00.7 mi370 yd00
Apr 1, 2023EF314.3 mi700 yd10
Jul 1, 2021EF14.7 mi100 yd00
Aug 4, 2020EF12.14 mi400 yd00
Apr 15, 2019EF16.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 2019EF26.2 mi400 yd01
Jun 19, 2017EF00.6 mi200 yd00
Aug 27, 2011EF10.7 mi80 yd00
Aug 13, 1998F00.1 mi100 yd00
Jun 26, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 1, 1993F04.5 mi10 yd00
Aug 28, 1992F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jul 15, 1992F11 mi20 yd00
Jul 15, 1992F02.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 15, 1992F01 mi10 yd00
Aug 15, 1989F112.7 mi20 yd00
Jul 18, 1984F21.5 mi80 yd00
May 8, 1984F118 mi150 yd114
May 8, 1984F118 mi150 yd010
Jun 30, 1976F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 4, 1975F00.1 mi53 yd00
Mar 19, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 1962F10.5 mi40 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.