The Town Files

The 25 Most Tornado-Prone Small Towns in New York

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 707 towns of 500–10,000 people in New York. #1 is Vernon, NY (16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

Map of the 25 towns12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Numbers match the ranking.
The 25 Most Tornado-Prone Small Towns in New York1. Vernon162. Westmoreland163. Perth164. Glen155. Amsterdam146. Putnam Lake147. Whitesboro148. New York Mills149. Sherrill1410. Yorkville1411. Busti1312. Franklinville1313. Waterford1214. North Sea1215. Paris1216. Noyack1217. Ellery1218. Cutchogue1219. Lakewood1220. Lake Delta1221. Florida1222. Ellicott1123. Pawling1124. Johnstown1125. Lee11

  1. 25Lee, New York

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lee is a town of 6,171 people in Oneida County, New York. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF3 on August 7, 2023.

    6,171 people · Oneida County · median home $217,700 · income $94,137 · Jan low 13°F · 168 in snow

    Full Lee, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lee by decade'50'60'701'80'90'003'107'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Johnstown, New York

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Johnstown is a town of 6,867 people in Fulton County, New York. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on August 3, 2010.

    6,867 people · Fulton County · median home $193,500 · income $97,283 · Jan low 7°F

    Full Johnstown, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Johnstown by decade'50'601'701'803'903'003'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Pawling, New York

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Pawling is a town of 8,012 people in Dutchess County, New York. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on May 15, 2018.

    8,012 people · Dutchess County · median home $449,100 · income $120,592 · Jan low 16°F · 58 in snow

    Full Pawling, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Pawling by decade1'50'602'70'801'904'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Ellicott, New York

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ellicott is a town of 8,768 people in Chautauqua County, New York. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1985.

    8,768 people · Chautauqua County · median home $120,700 · income $60,880 · Jan low 16°F · 98 in snow

    Full Ellicott, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ellicott by decade1'503'602'704'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Florida, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Florida is a town of 2,667 people in Montgomery County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF3 on May 22, 2014.

    2,667 people · Montgomery County · median home $214,300 · income $93,008 · Jan low 12°F · 58 in snow

    Full Florida, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Florida by decade'50'60'70'801'902'009'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Lake Delta, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lake Delta is a community of 2,757 people in Oneida County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on July 16, 2024.

    2,757 people · Oneida County · median home $239,400 · income $100,094 · Jan low 13°F · 167 in snow

    Full Lake Delta, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lake Delta by decade'50'60'702'801'90'003'106'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Lakewood, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lakewood is a village of 3,002 people in Chautauqua County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985.

    3,002 people · Chautauqua County · median home $158,500 · income $67,557 · Jan low 16°F · 98 in snow

    Full Lakewood, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lakewood by decade1'503'602'705'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Cutchogue, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Cutchogue is a community of 3,437 people in Suffolk County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on August 8, 1999.

    3,437 people · Suffolk County · median home $917,800 · income $143,472 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Cutchogue, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Cutchogue by decade1'50'60'703'802'903'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17Ellery, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ellery is a town of 4,122 people in Chautauqua County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F3 on May 2, 1983.

    4,122 people · Chautauqua County · median home $235,900 · income $86,833 · Jan low 16°F · 138 in snow

    Full Ellery, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ellery by decade1'505'601'703'801'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Noyack, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Noyack is a community of 4,325 people in Suffolk County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on August 8, 1999.

    4,325 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,085,500 · income $118,728 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Noyack, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Noyack by decade1'50'601'703'802'902'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Paris, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Paris is a town of 4,332 people in Oneida County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on June 22, 2025.

    4,332 people · Oneida County · median home $243,800 · income $93,491 · Jan low 14°F · 77 in snow

    Full Paris, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Paris by decade'50'60'702'802'901'004'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14North Sea, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    North Sea is a community of 5,461 people in Suffolk County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on August 8, 1999.

    5,461 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,128,000 · income $161,587 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full North Sea, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of North Sea by decade'50'601'703'802'903'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Waterford, New York

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Waterford is a town of 8,208 people in Saratoga County, New York. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1998.

    8,208 people · Saratoga County · median home $269,900 · income $87,089 · Jan low 17°F · 59 in snow

    Full Waterford, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Waterford by decade'501'603'70'804'901'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Franklinville, New York

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Franklinville is a town of 2,802 people in Cattaraugus County, New York. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F3 on June 20, 1969.

    2,802 people · Cattaraugus County · median home $99,300 · income $64,231 · Jan low 14°F · 109 in snow

    Full Franklinville, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Franklinville by decade'504'602'701'801'90'001'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Busti, New York

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Busti is a town of 7,543 people in Chautauqua County, New York. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985.

    7,543 people · Chautauqua County · median home $164,600 · income $67,292 · Jan low 13°F · 116 in snow

    Full Busti, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Busti by decade1'503'602'704'801'90'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Yorkville, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Yorkville is a village of 2,657 people in Oneida County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on July 23, 1990.

    2,657 people · Oneida County · median home $156,300 · income $72,969 · Jan low 14°F · 164 in snow

    Full Yorkville, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Yorkville by decade'50'60'702'802'901'006'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Sherrill, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sherrill is a city of 3,077 people in Oneida County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on July 8, 2014.

    3,077 people · Oneida County · median home $227,500 · income $88,947 · Jan low 14°F · 151 in snow

    Full Sherrill, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sherrill by decade'501'60'701'802'90'006'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8New York Mills, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    New York Mills is a village of 3,244 people in Oneida County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on July 23, 1990.

    3,244 people · Oneida County · median home $207,700 · income $57,578 · Jan low 14°F · 164 in snow

    Full New York Mills, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of New York Mills by decade'50'60'702'802'901'006'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Whitesboro, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Whitesboro is a village of 3,612 people in Oneida County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on July 16, 2024.

    3,612 people · Oneida County · median home $160,700 · income $45,934 · Jan low 14°F · 164 in snow

    Full Whitesboro, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Whitesboro by decade'50'60'702'801'901'006'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Putnam Lake, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Putnam Lake is a community of 3,776 people in Putnam County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on May 15, 2018.

    3,776 people · Putnam County · median home $337,000 · income $103,561 · Jan low 16°F · 49 in snow

    Full Putnam Lake, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Putnam Lake by decade'502'602'701'802'905'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Amsterdam, New York

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Amsterdam is a town of 5,557 people in Montgomery County, New York. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF3 on May 22, 2014.

    5,557 people · Montgomery County · median home $216,100 · income $83,989 · Jan low 12°F · 60 in snow

    Full Amsterdam, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Amsterdam by decade1'50'60'70'801'902'009'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Glen, New York

    15 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Glen is a town of 2,536 people in Montgomery County, New York. 15 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an F4 on July 10, 1989.

    2,536 people · Montgomery County · median home $198,800 · income $83,750 · Jan low 12°F · 54 in snow

    Full Glen, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Glen by decade'50'60'702'802'903'008'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Perth, New York

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Perth is a town of 3,584 people in Fulton County, New York. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on June 30, 2017.

    3,584 people · Fulton County · median home $349,200 · income $91,914 · Jan low 7°F · 64 in snow

    Full Perth, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Perth by decade1'50'601'70'803'903'007'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Westmoreland, New York

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Westmoreland is a town of 5,924 people in Oneida County, New York. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on July 16, 2024.

    5,924 people · Oneida County · median home $238,100 · income $105,333 · Jan low 14°F · 164 in snow

    Full Westmoreland, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Westmoreland by decade'50'60'702'802'901'007'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Vernon, New York

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Vernon is a town of 8,318 people in Oneida County, New York. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical New York town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on July 8, 2014.

    8,318 people · Oneida County · median home $202,100 · income $77,601 · Jan low 14°F · 151 in snow

    Full Vernon, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Vernon by decade'501'60'702'802'90'007'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More New York rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 707 towns of 500–10,000 people in New York (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: