Dorchester County, Maryland tornadoes

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14confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1984). Most recent: May 16, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Dorchester County

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The record

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay3 of 14
StrongestF3Apr 28, 2002
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries26whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

30 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 2May: 3Jun: 0Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 3 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 1: 5: 16 PM: 1: 0: 09 PM: 1: 0: 112 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
5
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

F1, May 8, 1984

1 deaths, 14 injuries Strongest

F3, April 28, 2002

18 mile path Longest path

18 miles, F1

May 8, 1984, whole path Widest

600 yards, EF1

May 16, 2025
Every tornado

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF111.3 mi600 yd00
Sep 1, 2021EF03.82 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 2019EF00.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 23, 2009EF00.26 mi25 yd02
Oct 16, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Sep 30, 2004F00.8 mi30 yd00
Oct 14, 2003F14 mi150 yd00
Sep 2, 2003F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F318 mi150 yd00
Jul 4, 2001F10.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 13, 1996F00.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 28, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1984F118 mi150 yd114
May 8, 1984F118 mi150 yd010
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 18, 20262 NE HurlockNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.