With 337 documented natural disaster events, ZIP code 16504 in Erie, PA has a substantial history of natural hazard activity. These include 286 blizzards, 19 hailstorms, and 18 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $107.5M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 17 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Erie is blizzards, with 286 recorded events making up 85% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 257 (90%) 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 $85M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 20, 2025.
There have been 19 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 6% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $325K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Oct 6, 2024.
There have been 18 recorded floods in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. Of these, 15 (83%) 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 $17.8M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Nov 15, 2020.
Erie has experienced 7 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 4 (57%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 20, 2021.
Erie has experienced 4 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $300.3K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 2, 1983.
Erie has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $15K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Apr 14, 2019.
The most significant disaster event on record for Erie was Lake-Effect Snow on Dec 24, 2017, which caused $15M in property damage. Another major event was Winter Storm (Mar 7, 2008), causing $12M in damages. Lake-Effect Snow on Dec 24, 2017 also caused significant damage ($10M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 16504 has experienced 337 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include blizzards (286 events), hailstorms (19 events), floods (18 events), extreme cold events (7 events), tornadoes (4 events), and severe wind events (3 events). The primary hazard is blizzards, which account for 85% of all recorded events.
Blizzards are the most frequently recorded hazard in Erie, PA, with 286 events documented. These events have caused a combined $85M in property damage.
Yes, Erie (ZIP 16504) has 18 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $17.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Nov 15, 2020.
Erie has 4 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 $300.3K. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 2, 1983.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 16504 was Lake-Effect Snow, which occurred on Dec 24, 2017. This event caused $15M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $107.5M in property damage in the Erie, PA area (ZIP 16504). 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 →