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02740 New Bedford, MA — Natural Disaster History

📊 Disaster Profile: New Bedford, MA (02740)

Government agency data shows 46 natural disaster events for ZIP 02740 in New Bedford, MA. These include 30 floods, 11 hailstorms, and 3 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $1.1M.

🌊 Floods — Most Frequent Hazard

With 30 recorded incidents (65% of all events), floods are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 7 (23%) 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 $1.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 13, 2022.

⛈️ Hailstorms

There have been 11 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 24% of all disaster events. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 26, 2024.

🌪️ Tornadoes

New Bedford has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $37.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 8, 2023.

🌍 Earthquakes

New Bedford has experienced 1 earthquake on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Aug 24, 1989.

💨 Severe wind events

New Bedford has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 30, 1998.

Notable Events

The most significant disaster event on record for New Bedford was Flash Flood on Aug 11, 2008, which caused $500K in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Jul 3, 2014), causing $150K in damages.

📍 Nearby ZIP Codes

Explore disaster history for adjacent areas

Frequently Asked Questions

What natural disasters have occurred in New Bedford, MA (02740)?

Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 02740 has experienced 46 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (30 events), hailstorms (11 events), tornadoes (3 events), earthquake (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 65% of all recorded events.

What is the most common natural hazard in ZIP code 02740?

Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in New Bedford, MA, with 30 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1.1M in property damage.

Is ZIP code 02740 (New Bedford) prone to flooding?

Yes, New Bedford (ZIP 02740) has 30 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 13, 2022.

Has New Bedford (02740) ever been hit by a tornado?

New Bedford has 3 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 $37.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 8, 2023.

What was the worst natural disaster in New Bedford, MA?

The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 02740 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Aug 11, 2008. This event caused $500K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.

How much property damage have natural disasters caused in ZIP code 02740?

Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $1.1M in property damage in the New Bedford, MA area (ZIP 02740). 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 →

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