Defiance County, Ohio tornadoes
12 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: July 29, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary
Every tornado path in the county
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.
At a glance
Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Defiance County.
When tornadoes hit here
By month
July is the peak month, with 5 of 12 tornadoes.
By time of day
Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.
By year, 1950 to 2025
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: 2 preliminary reports.
By rating
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.
Notable tornadoes
All 12 tornadoes, newest first
| Date | Rating | Path length | Width | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2023 | EF1 | 0.71 mi | 100 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2023 | EF0 | 0.22 mi | 20 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF2 | 2.64 mi | 400 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF2 | 4.42 mi | 250 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF0 | 5.06 mi | 50 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | F4 | 52.8 mi | 880 yd | 4 | 17 |
| Jul 5, 1987 | F0 | 1.3 mi | 60 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1986 | F2 | 3.3 mi | 73 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1973 | F0 | 0.3 mi | 33 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1971 | F2 | 0.5 mi | 100 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1971 | F0 | 0.3 mi | 200 yd | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1960 | F0 | 0.8 mi | 77 yd | 0 | 0 |
2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed
| Report date | Location | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2026 | 2 SW Defiance | Not yet rated |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 2 SE Hicksville | Not 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 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 12, 2026.