New Bethlehem, PA (ZIP 16242) has experienced 54 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 24 hailstorms, 20 floods, and 5 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $5.7M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 11 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for New Bethlehem is hailstorms, with 24 recorded events making up 44% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $10K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 9, 2025.
There have been 20 recorded floods in this area, representing 37% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (25%) 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 $2.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 9, 2025.
New Bethlehem has experienced 5 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (40%) 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 $55K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 7, 2015.
New Bethlehem has experienced 5 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $2.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Mar 31, 2022.
The most significant disaster event on record for New Bethlehem was EF2 Tornado on Sep 23, 1986, which caused $2.5M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Sep 17, 2004), causing $2M in damages. Flood on Jan 19, 1996 also caused significant damage ($630K).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 16242 has experienced 54 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (24 events), floods (20 events), blizzards (5 events), and tornadoes (5 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 44% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in New Bethlehem, PA, with 24 events documented. These events have caused a combined $10K in property damage.
Yes, New Bethlehem (ZIP 16242) has 20 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $2.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 9, 2025.
New Bethlehem has 5 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 $2.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Mar 31, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 16242 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Sep 23, 1986. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $5.7M in property damage in the New Bethlehem, PA area (ZIP 16242). 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 →