ZIP code 02138, covering Cambridge, MA, has 87 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 45 floods, 22 hailstorms, and 16 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $54.1M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 7 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Cambridge is floods, with 45 recorded events making up 52% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 18 (40%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $41.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 2, 2021.
There have been 22 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 25% of all disaster events. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 28, 2020.
There have been 16 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 18% of all disaster events. Of these, 6 (38%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $7.8M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Oct 30, 2020.
Cambridge has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 28, 2014.
Cambridge has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Feb 3, 2007.
Cambridge has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $350K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 18, 2012.
The most significant disaster event on record for Cambridge was Flood on Mar 5, 2001, which caused $15M in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Jul 10, 2010), causing $11M in damages. Flood on Mar 14, 2010 also caused significant damage ($10.7M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 02138 has experienced 87 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (45 events), hailstorms (22 events), blizzards (16 events), tornadoes (2 events), extreme cold event (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 52% of all recorded events.
Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in Cambridge, MA, with 45 events documented. These events have caused a combined $41.9M in property damage.
Yes, Cambridge (ZIP 02138) has 45 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $41.9M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 2, 2021.
Cambridge has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 28, 2014.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 02138 was Flood, which occurred on Mar 5, 2001. This event caused $15M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $54.1M in property damage in the Cambridge, MA area (ZIP 02138). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →