The Town Files

25 Small Towns in Maryland With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 124 towns of 500–10,000 people in Maryland. #1 is Princess Anne, MD (3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25St. James, Maryland

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    St. James is a community of 4,757 people in Washington County, Maryland. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F2 on September 17, 2004.

    4,757 people · Washington County · median home $409,000 · income $97,361 · Jan low 22°F · 33 in snow

    Full St. James, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of St. James by decade1'50'60'70'805'903'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Deale, Maryland

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Deale, Maryland
    Photo: Pubdog (talk) (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Deale is a community of 4,943 people in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021.

    4,943 people · Anne Arundel County · median home $431,400 · income $125,510 · Jan low 25°F · 15 in snow

    Full Deale, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Deale by decade'50'601'70'804'904'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Berlin, Maryland

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Berlin is a town of 5,026 people in Worcester County, Maryland. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F1 on May 10, 1990.

    5,026 people · Worcester County · median home $423,500 · income $81,438 · Jan low 28°F · 8 in snow

    Full Berlin, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Berlin by decade1'503'60'70'802'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Ocean City, Maryland

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ocean City is a town of 6,844 people in Worcester County, Maryland. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F2 on August 12, 1955.

    6,844 people · Worcester County · median home $429,000 · income $77,750 · Jan low 28°F · 8 in snow

    Full Ocean City, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ocean City by decade2'503'60'70'801'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Mayo, Maryland

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Mayo is a community of 8,832 people in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021.

    8,832 people · Anne Arundel County · median home $604,900 · income $155,300 · Jan low 30°F · 16 in snow

    Full Mayo, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Mayo by decade1'50'603'70'802'90'001'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Thurmont, Maryland

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Thurmont is a town of 6,213 people in Frederick County, Maryland. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F1 on August 30, 2005.

    6,213 people · Frederick County · median home $364,700 · income $98,125 · Jan low 23°F · 28 in snow

    Full Thurmont, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Thurmont by decade1'502'601'701'801'903'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Rising Sun, Maryland

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Rising Sun is a town of 2,740 people in Cecil County, Maryland. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021.

    2,740 people · Cecil County · median home $309,100 · income $85,563 · Jan low 22°F · 18 in snow

    Full Rising Sun, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Rising Sun by decade'50'601'701'801'901'001'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18West Ocean City, Maryland

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    West Ocean City is a community of 4,952 people in Worcester County, Maryland. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F1 on November 9, 1962.

    4,952 people · Worcester County · median home $423,700 · income $97,165 · Jan low 28°F · 8 in snow

    Full West Ocean City, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of West Ocean City by decade1'502'60'70'801'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17Stevensville, Maryland

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Stevensville, Maryland
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Stevensville is a community of 7,442 people in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on July 24, 2017.

    7,442 people · Queen Anne's County · median home $481,200 · income $115,357 · Jan low 29°F · 16 in snow

    Full Stevensville, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Stevensville by decade1'50'601'70'801'90'001'105'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Emmitsburg, Maryland

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Emmitsburg is a town of 2,770 people in Frederick County, Maryland. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F3 on May 22, 1983.

    2,770 people · Frederick County · median home $324,300 · income $81,250 · Jan low 22°F · 28 in snow

    Full Emmitsburg, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Emmitsburg by decade3'50'601'702'801'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Delmar, Maryland

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Delmar is a town of 3,798 people in Wicomico County, Maryland. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on April 15, 2019.

    3,798 people · Wicomico County · median home $226,500 · income $85,174 · Jan low 29°F · 8 in snow

    Full Delmar, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Delmar by decade'50'60'701'803'901'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Cresaptown, Maryland

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Cresaptown is a community of 5,442 people in Allegany County, Maryland. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1998.

    5,442 people · Allegany County · median home $142,600 · income $68,370 · Jan low 23°F · 31 in snow

    Full Cresaptown, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Cresaptown by decade'501'601'70'806'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Chesapeake Beach, Maryland

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chesapeake Beach is a town of 6,356 people in Calvert County, Maryland. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F2 on June 27, 1978.

    6,356 people · Calvert County · median home $444,600 · income $138,895 · Jan low 25°F · 15 in snow

    Full Chesapeake Beach, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chesapeake Beach by decade'50'601'70'802'904'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Garrison, Maryland

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Garrison is a community of 9,487 people in Baltimore County, Maryland. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on June 5, 2024.

    9,487 people · Baltimore County · median home $331,600 · income $102,423 · Jan low 30°F · 27 in snow

    Full Garrison, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Garrison by decade'50'60'70'804'90'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11La Vale, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    La Vale is a community of 4,201 people in Allegany County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1998.

    4,201 people · Allegany County · median home $170,800 · income $77,500 · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full La Vale, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of La Vale by decade'501'601'70'805'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Centreville, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Centreville, Maryland
    Photo: S.W. Clyde, levels adjustment and cleanup by Howcheng (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Centreville is a town of 4,727 people in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F2 on July 30, 1971.

    4,727 people · Queen Anne's County · median home $449,900 · income $89,602 · Jan low 27°F · 16 in snow

    Full Centreville, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Centreville by decade'501'601'70'802'90'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Chester, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chester is a community of 5,003 people in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on July 24, 2017.

    5,003 people · Queen Anne's County · median home $487,400 · income $102,399 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full Chester, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chester by decade'50'602'70'801'90'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Fruitland, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fruitland is a city of 5,534 people in Wicomico County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF1 on August 7, 2017.

    5,534 people · Wicomico County · median home $227,200 · income $64,004 · Jan low 29°F · 8 in snow

    Full Fruitland, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fruitland by decade'50'601'70'802'902'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Shady Side, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Shady Side is a community of 5,806 people in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021.

    5,806 people · Anne Arundel County · median home $503,500 · income $153,661 · Jan low 30°F · 15 in snow

    Full Shady Side, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Shady Side by decade1'50'60'70'801'902'00'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Frostburg, Maryland

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Frostburg is a city of 7,027 people in Allegany County, Maryland. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1998.

    7,027 people · Allegany County · median home $181,700 · income $52,977 · Jan low 19°F · 72 in snow

    Full Frostburg, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Frostburg by decade'501'601'70'804'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Grasonville, Maryland

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Grasonville is a community of 3,474 people in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on July 24, 2017.

    3,474 people · Queen Anne's County · median home $459,600 · income $120,676 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full Grasonville, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Grasonville by decade'50'602'70'802'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Pocomoke City, Maryland

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Pocomoke City is a city of 4,295 people in Worcester County, Maryland. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF2 on August 4, 2020.

    4,295 people · Worcester County · median home $199,000 · income $53,203 · Jan low 30°F · 8 in snow

    Full Pocomoke City, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Pocomoke City by decade'50'601'701'80'903'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Denton, Maryland

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Denton is a town of 4,848 people in Caroline County, Maryland. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an EF1 on March 16, 2026.

    4,848 people · Caroline County · median home $234,600 · income $66,510 · Jan low 25°F · 13 in snow

    Full Denton, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Denton by decade'50'601'70'804'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Chestertown, Maryland

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chestertown is a town of 5,532 people in Kent County, Maryland. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F2 on March 21, 1976.

    5,532 people · Kent County · median home $344,000 · income $54,346 · Jan low 27°F · 17 in snow

    Full Chestertown, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chestertown by decade'50'603'70'802'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Princess Anne, Maryland

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Princess Anne, Maryland
    Photo: Calvin Beale (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Princess Anne is a town of 3,446 people in Somerset County, Maryland. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Maryland town: 18); the strongest was an F1 on May 10, 1990.

    3,446 people · Somerset County · median home $231,900 · income $69,116 · Jan low 29°F · 9 in snow

    Full Princess Anne, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Princess Anne by decade'50'601'70'801'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Maryland rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 124 towns of 500–10,000 people in Maryland (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: