Wakefield, PA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Wakefield is about the same as Pennsylvania average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Wakefield is higher than Pennsylvania average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #331
| Wakefield, PA | 0.32 |
| Pennsylvania | 0.17 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Wakefield, PA | 0.0000 |
| Pennsylvania | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #637
| Wakefield, PA | 139.35 |
| Pennsylvania | 109.77 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 5,882 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Wakefield, PA were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 7 | Cold: | 65 | Dense Fog: | 56 | Drought: | 146 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 805 | Hail: | 740 | Heat: | 237 | Heavy Snow: | 134 |
| High Surf: | 23 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 315 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,403 | Tropical Storm: | 4 | Wildfire: | 10 | Winter Storm: | 86 | Winter Weather: | 152 |
| Other: | 685 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Wakefield, PA.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 3 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Wakefield, PA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 33.7 | 1964-05-12 | 4.5 | 33 | 40.2 | -76.5 |
| 13.6 | 1984-04-23 | 4.4 | 5 | 39.92 | -76.36 |
| 39.7 | 1973-02-28 | 3.8 | 14 | 39.72 | -75.44 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 65 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Wakefield, PA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 9.9 | 1998-05-31 | 2 | 39°54'N / 76°10'W | 39°55'N / 76°03'W | 7.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lancaster |
| Brief Description: The tornado struck about 12:30am EDT in the early morning hours of Monday, June 1st. Initial touchdown was just south of Quarryville. The tornado traveled east along a 7 mile path to Ninepoints. Damage was most extensive in the Ninepoints area and was rated an F2 intensity (112 to 157 mph). The width of the F2 damage was probably 100 to 200 yards wide with lesser damage extending out to 1/2 mile. At least 6 homes had significant damage. One home had the roof and second floor removed. Several barns were damaged and at least one destroyed. Trees were blown down on a number of homes. One person reported sighting the tornado. Only one minor injury was reported. | |||||||||||
| 10.6 | 2004-09-18 | 2 | 39°42'N / 76°22'W | 39°44'N / 76°22'W | 2.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 350K | 0 | Harford |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near a residence off Grier Nursery Road. The storm destroyed two mobile homes, the side of a barn was blown out, structural damage to two homes were noted, and numerous large healthy trees were twisted off near the bases. | |||||||||||
| 12.7 | 1974-08-17 | 2 | 39°57'N / 76°06'W | 0.70 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 13.1 | 2002-05-02 | 2 | 39°39'N / 76°00'W | 39°42'N / 75°57'W | 4.50 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 0 | 330K | 0 | Cecil |
| Brief Description: The first F2 (on the Fujita Scale) tornado in 21 years struck Cecil County during the late afternoon of the 2nd. About 21 homes, silos, sheds and barns sustained moderate to extensive damage. One family was displaced as their house was condemned because of the wind damage. Many large trees and utility poles were splintered, uprooted or snapped. Marble size hail was also reported. No serious injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at $330,000. The path length was 4.5 miles. The maximum path width was 160 yards. The tornado initially touched down just to the west of England Creamery Road about 5 miles southeast of Rising Sun at 538 p.m. EDT. The tornado's intensity was F0 to F1 as it moved across England Creamery and Trinity Church Roads. One house on Trinity Church Road had its windows broken, its porch splintered and its roof damaged. A second house on the road had its porch torn away and shingles ripped from the roof. The homeowner's barn and its content was destroyed. Their lawn chairs and hedge trimmers were found half a mile away. One of the two points that the tornado reached its maximum intensity of F2 occurred when it moved through the Tailwind Estates on Steeplechase Lane. Three homes were heavily damaged. One house (the condemned one) had half its roof torn away and its chimney crash through its deck. The homeowner's SUV vehicle was displaced 25 feet and a shed on the block was tossed over 100 yards. The tornado's intensity again peaked at F2 as it moved through a wooded area north of Old Elm Road and west of Blue Ball Road. Extensive tree damage occurred. The second floor of a new home under construction in the area also collapsed. During the last half mile of its existence, the tornado weakened and did not remain on the ground the entire time. It dissipated around the intersection of Fairview Road and Maryland State Route 273 at 545 p.m. EDT. | |||||||||||
| 16.6 | 1992-08-28 | 2 | 39°57'N / 75°58'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Chester | |
| 18.0 | 1980-06-29 | 2 | 39°31'N / 76°10'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 10 | 250K | 0 | Harford | |
| 18.3 | 1959-07-19 | 2 | 39°31'N / 76°07'W | 0.80 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Harford | |
| 18.9 | 1961-07-29 | 2 | 39°59'N / 76°30'W | 40°02'N / 76°15'W | 13.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 20.6 | 1989-06-15 | 2 | 40°02'N / 76°26'W | 40°00'N / 76°24'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 22.1 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°46'N / 75°44'W | 39°48'N / 75°48'W | 4.10 Miles | 63 Yards | 1 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Chester |
| 22.3 | 1981-05-15 | 2 | 39°36'N / 75°50'W | 1.50 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Cecil | |
| 23.2 | 1989-06-15 | 2 | 40°02'N / 76°30'W | 40°02'N / 76°26'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 24.7 | 1992-07-17 | 2 | 39°54'N / 75°47'W | 39°55'N / 75°43'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chester |
| 25.1 | 1953-11-23 | 2 | 40°06'N / 76°24'W | 0.10 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 25.2 | 1961-07-29 | 2 | 39°58'N / 76°40'W | 39°59'N / 76°30'W | 8.80 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 25.8 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°27'N / 76°25'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Baltimore | |
| 26.2 | 1989-06-15 | 2 | 39°58'N / 76°40'W | 40°02'N / 76°30'W | 9.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | York |
| 26.6 | 1989-06-09 | 2 | 39°47'N / 75°41'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | New Castle | |
| 30.7 | 1956-06-13 | 2 | 39°57'N / 76°43'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | York | |||
| 31.8 | 2004-09-28 | 2 | 39°41'N / 75°36'W | 39°44'N / 75°35'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0 | New Castle |
| Brief Description: An F2 (on the Fujita scale) tornado touched down in northern New Castle County with maximum winds estimated at 130 mph. The path length was 5.0 miles long with a maximum path width of 150 yards. The tornado touched down near and was observed at the New Castle County Airport. The northern end of the tornado track was in Elsmere. Significant damage did occur along the path of this tornado, particularly to some of the planes at the airport and industrial buildings near the airport. In addition, five persons were injured. The tornado damaged five C-130 cargo planes at the New Castle County Airport, caused thousands of pounds of jet fuel to spill and damaged hangers. It tore through the Newport Industrial Park along Delaware State Route 141. It tossed long strips of metal siding into the air and onto roads. Windows were shattered, walls peeled away and trees and light poles were snapped. The roof and whole side of the United Electric Supply building was torn away. Delaware State Route 141 and some nearby side streets were closed. Gas service was shut off to prevent explosions. On Bellecor Drive, a self-storage facility suffered major damage. One man at the business was injured after he was trapped under a fallen refrigerator. Three people were injured at the airport itself. A man in Elsmere was hit by a fallen tree limb. The tornado also caused damaged to homes in Wilmington Manor and Chelsea Estates near the airport. In Elsmere, the tornado tore shingles and vent covers from the Corpus Christi Elementary School. The ensuing heavy rain damaged the gymnasium. In the Red Clay Consolidated School District, the tornado also caused minor damage to the Richardson Park Elementary School. | |||||||||||
| 31.9 | 1990-10-18 | 2 | 39°47'N / 75°35'W | 1.00 Mile | 430 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | New Castle | |
| 31.9 | 1950-11-04 | 3 | 40°12'N / 76°07'W | 40°16'N / 76°04'W | 4.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 31.9 | 1963-03-27 | 2 | 40°00'N / 76°51'W | 40°03'N / 76°32'W | 17.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York |
| 31.9 | 1975-10-11 | 2 | 40°17'N / 76°29'W | 40°10'N / 76°11'W | 17.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lebanon |
| 32.9 | 1954-07-01 | 2 | 39°27'N / 75°44'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | New Castle | |
| 33.2 | 1991-05-06 | 2 | 40°05'N / 76°40'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 33.7 | 1961-04-28 | 3 | 39°40'N / 75°34'W | 0.30 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | New Castle | |
| 33.9 | 1969-07-27 | 2 | 40°04'N / 76°42'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | York | |
| 33.9 | 1975-04-03 | 2 | 40°02'N / 75°40'W | 40°05'N / 75°39'W | 3.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Chester |
| 34.5 | 1970-07-02 | 2 | 40°09'N / 76°37'W | 1.00 Mile | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 36.0 | 1952-04-05 | 3 | 39°48'N / 76°59'W | 39°57'N / 76°43'W | 17.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 37.2 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°47'N / 75°29'W | 2.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | New Castle | |
| 37.3 | 1973-06-16 | 2 | 39°20'N / 76°35'W | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Baltimore | |||
| 37.6 | 1955-03-22 | 3 | 39°58'N / 75°37'W | 40°03'N / 75°28'W | 9.60 Miles | 600 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chester |
| 38.1 | 1990-06-08 | 2 | 39°49'N / 76°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | York | |
| 38.3 | 1988-08-17 | 2 | 39°43'N / 75°28'W | 1.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Salem | |
| 38.3 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 39°34'N / 76°47'W | 14.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Frederick |
| 39.2 | 1973-06-29 | 2 | 39°56'N / 75°29'W | 39°54'N / 75°27'W | 1.90 Miles | 63 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Delaware |
| 39.6 | 1950-11-04 | 3 | 40°16'N / 76°04'W | 40°24'N / 75°56'W | 11.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Berks |
| 39.9 | 1990-10-18 | 2 | 39°28'N / 76°49'W | 0.10 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 59 | 25.0M | 0 | Baltimore | |
| 40.8 | 2004-07-14 | 3 | 40°17'N / 76°35'W | 40°17'N / 76°35'W | 7.50 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 18.0M | 0 | Lebanon |
| Brief Description: Thunderstorms spawned a strong F3 tornado in southern Lebanon County during the afternoon of July 14. The tornado first touched down in far western Lebanon County at 3:05 pm EDT, about 1 mile west of the town of Campbelltown. The tornado traveled east, and struck a housing development about one quarter mile south of Route 322. A total of 32 homes were destroyed, with another 37 homes sustaining significant damage. An additional 50 homes and 9 farm buildings in the area were damaged by downburst winds associated with the thunderstorm which spawned the tornado. The tornado continued along a path to the east for seven and one half miles. The tornado crossed Route 322 west of Mount Pleasant, and continued east, mainly across fields, until it lifted up about 2 miles northwest of the town of Cornwall at 3:15 pm EDT. The width of the tornado was one quarter mile. Although the tornadic damage was confined to the path described, additional damage occurred outside this path, again associated with downburst winds from the parent thunderstorm. Winds were estimated between 175 and 200 MPH, making this a strong F3 tornado on the Fujita scale. The tornado injured 24 persons, one critically. There were no deaths. The American Red Cross opened a mass care center, where over 50 people required assistance with sheltering. Between 25,000 and 30,000 customers lost power in Lebanon and Berks Counties as a result of the storms. | |||||||||||
| 40.9 | 1976-03-21 | 2 | 39°13'N / 75°56'W | 0.20 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Queen Anne's | |
| 41.1 | 2001-09-24 | 2 | 39°44'N / 76°59'W | 39°48'N / 76°56'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 900K | 0 | York |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near Grand Valley Road at 17:33 EST about 5 miles South of Hanover PA. The tornado proceded northward, through Parkville then lifting to the north of Blooming Grove at 17:40 EST. The path of the tornado was about 5 miles in length but not always on the ground while the width varied from 50 to 200 yards. The top wind speeds were estimated at 110 to 120 mph. There were no injuries or deaths. Significant damage included 8 homes with roofs torn off, brick and structural damage to several additional homes, 50 to 75 trees knocked down, 38 cars damaged at a car dealership, significant roof and water damage to a middle school and administration building, and significant structural damage to a store complex northwest of Blooming Grove. | |||||||||||
| 41.3 | 1960-07-14 | 2 | 39°43'N / 75°26'W | 39°44'N / 75°23'W | 2.30 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Salem |
| 41.8 | 1957-11-19 | 2 | 40°18'N / 76°35'W | 2.00 Miles | 13 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lebanon | |
| 42.0 | 1979-10-05 | 2 | 40°21'N / 75°55'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Berks | |
| 42.6 | 1967-10-18 | 2 | 40°13'N / 76°45'W | 40°19'N / 76°36'W | 10.20 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Dauphin |
| 43.0 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | York |
| 43.2 | 1970-06-18 | 3 | 40°24'N / 76°18'W | 40°24'N / 76°14'W | 1.90 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Lebanon |
| 44.2 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°48'N / 77°02'W | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 3.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Adams |
| 44.3 | 1992-07-17 | 2 | 40°24'N / 76°23'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lebanon | |
| 44.5 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 40°21'N / 75°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Berks | |
| 45.1 | 1985-07-31 | 2 | 40°10'N / 76°54'W | 40°09'N / 76°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 45.3 | 1961-06-09 | 3 | 39°12'N / 76°37'W | 39°13'N / 76°36'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Anne Arundel | ||
| 45.4 | 1979-05-23 | 2 | 39°35'N / 77°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Carroll | |
| 45.4 | 1980-06-07 | 3 | 39°56'N / 77°01'W | 1.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Adams | |
| 45.7 | 1970-03-26 | 2 | 40°16'N / 76°46'W | 2.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dauphin | |
| 45.9 | 1980-06-07 | 2 | 40°02'N / 77°01'W | 40°02'N / 76°57'W | 3.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 46.1 | 1996-07-19 | 3 | 39°30'N / 76°59'W | 39°29'N / 76°57'W | 2.20 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 3 | 5.0M | 20K | Carroll |
| Brief Description: One of the most potent tornadoes in recorded history in the state of Maryland tracked for 2 and 1/4 miles through the Mystic Kane and Four Seasons subdivisions just off state route 32 northwest of Gamber. The tornado was a strong F3 (180 mph estimated winds) with multiple vortices. Homes and trees struck by individual vortices sustained the worst damage. There were several eyewitness accounts of the tornado/funnel cloud shortly before touchdown. In all, 66 structures sustained damage. Twelve single-family homes were destroyed, five which lost most of the second story and garages. Three persons were injured. Two children were injured when the tornado blew them out of the second level of one of the homes. Their father suffered cuts and bruises when a wall partially collapsed on him while he was trying the rescue the children. Another dozen homes were deemed temporarily uninhabitable with substantial roof and siding damage. An additional 37 homes, a couple of apartments, and another barn received some damage. Many material items were sucked out of the homes, from bicycles to jewelry. Several automobiles were damaged by fallen and/or flying debris. Debris littered the ground for miles. A barn along route 32 was completely destroyed, and pieces of it were found as far away as 3.5 miles to the southeast of the barn's original location. Dozens of trees were snapped, shredded, debarked, and uprooted. Corn stalks were sucked up leaving six inch stubs as the tornado crossed a field west of route 32. A corn stalk was embedded into the wall of a house 1/2 mile away from the stalk's original location. Numerous airborne missiles (large and small) were generated, puncturing holes into homes and becoming embedded into the ground. A refrigerator was found wrapped around a mailbox. A van was dragged 50 feet, then flipped over two times. Other vehicles were also damaged. | |||||||||||
| 46.8 | 1992-10-09 | 2 | 40°07'N / 76°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | York | |
| 47.4 | 1977-04-05 | 2 | 40°15'N / 76°50'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Dauphin | |
| 48.0 | 1971-07-30 | 2 | 39°04'N / 76°03'W | 39°08'N / 75°55'W | 8.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Queen Anne's |
| 48.6 | 1980-06-07 | 2 | 40°01'N / 77°04'W | 40°02'N / 77°01'W | 2.30 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Adams |
| 48.6 | 1961-06-08 | 2 | 40°12'N / 75°27'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Montgomery | |
| 48.9 | 1983-07-21 | 2 | 39°10'N / 75°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 2 | 9 | 250K | 0 | Kent | |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.