Portage County, Ohio tornadoes

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19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1962). Most recent: May 11, 2024, 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 Portage County

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The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJuly5 of 19
StrongestF5May 31, 1985
Deaths18whole paths, see note
Injuries312whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

July is the peak month, with 5 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 4: 1: 33 PM: 4: 2: 16 PM: 2: 0: 29 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
9
EF1
7
EF2
1
EF3
1
EF5
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

F5, May 31, 1985

18 deaths, 310 injuries Strongest

F5, May 31, 1985

47 mile path Longest path

47 miles, F5

May 31, 1985, whole path Widest

450 yards, F5

May 31, 1985
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 11, 2024EF00.31 mi10 yd00
Apr 17, 2024EF13.97 mi65 yd00
Oct 21, 2021EF00.22 mi25 yd00
Jun 16, 2019EF113.47 mi250 yd00
Sep 10, 2014EF00.76 mi50 yd00
Sep 10, 2014EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Sep 10, 2014EF00.96 mi50 yd00
Jul 4, 2006F01.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 4, 2006F01.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 7, 2003F0n/a10 yd00
Apr 9, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 24, 1995F18 mi100 yd00
Jul 12, 1992F10.1 mi73 yd00
Jul 12, 1992F21 mi100 yd00
May 31, 1985F547 mi450 yd18310
Jun 16, 1981F11 mi150 yd00
Jun 3, 1973F312.9 mi100 yd01
Jun 25, 1968F10.5 mi200 yd01
May 23, 1962F10.1 mi30 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.