Federal records document 63 natural disaster events in the Lancaster, PA area (ZIP 17602). These include 42 hailstorms, 7 severe wind events, and 6 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $5.4M. These events have resulted in 4 recorded deaths and 9 injuries.
With 42 recorded incidents (67% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Hail-related events have caused a combined $5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 17, 2021.
Lancaster has experienced 7 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $20K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 19, 2010.
Lancaster has experienced 6 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $4.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Sep 29, 2015.
Lancaster has experienced 3 blizzards on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 2, 2025.
Lancaster has experienced 2 earthquakes on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Apr 19, 1984.
Lancaster has experienced 2 floods on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $1M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 8, 2005.
The most significant disaster event on record for Lancaster was EF1 Tornado on Sep 29, 2015, which caused $4M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Oct 8, 2005), causing $1M in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 17602 has experienced 63 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (42 events), severe wind events (7 events), tornadoes (6 events), blizzards (3 events), earthquakes (2 events), floods (2 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 67% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Lancaster, PA, with 42 events documented. These events have caused a combined $5K in property damage.
Yes, Lancaster (ZIP 17602) has 2 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 8, 2005.
Lancaster has 6 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 $4.4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Sep 29, 2015.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 17602 was EF1 Tornado, which occurred on Sep 29, 2015. This event caused $4M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $5.4M in property damage in the Lancaster, PA area (ZIP 17602). 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 →