Saranac, NY (ZIP 12981) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 280 natural disaster events on record. These include 244 blizzards, 27 floods, and 3 extreme cold events. Total documented property damage amounts to $15.6M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 6 injuries.
With 244 recorded incidents (87% of all events), blizzards are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 18 (7%) 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 $3.2M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Apr 19, 2022.
There have been 27 recorded floods in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Of these, 14 (52%) 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 $11.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 9, 2023.
Saranac has experienced 3 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $225K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 28, 2012.
Saranac has experienced 3 hailstorms on record. Hail-related events have caused a combined $50K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 4, 2012.
Saranac has experienced 2 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 2 (100%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Heat-related events have caused a combined $500K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Mar 17, 2012.
Saranac has experienced 1 earthquake on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Jun 9, 1998.
The most significant disaster event on record for Saranac was Lakeshore Flood on May 1, 2011, which caused $4.5M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jan 19, 1996), causing $2M in damages. Flood on Jan 19, 1996 also caused significant damage ($2M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 12981 has experienced 280 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include blizzards (244 events), floods (27 events), extreme cold events (3 events), hailstorms (3 events), extreme heat events (2 events), and earthquake (1 event). The primary hazard is blizzards, which account for 87% of all recorded events.
Blizzards are the most frequently recorded hazard in Saranac, NY, with 244 events documented. These events have caused a combined $3.2M in property damage.
Yes, Saranac (ZIP 12981) has 27 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $11.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 9, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 12981 was Lakeshore Flood, which occurred on May 1, 2011. This event caused $4.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $15.6M in property damage in the Saranac, NY area (ZIP 12981). 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 →