ZIP code 18701, covering Wilkes Barre, PA, has 78 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 41 floods, 17 blizzards, and 15 hailstorms. Total documented property damage amounts to $19.4M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 41 injuries.
Floods represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 53% of all recorded events (41 total). Of these, 18 (44%) 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 $13.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 13, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 22% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (29%) 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 $767K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Nov 17, 2025.
There have been 15 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 19% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $13K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 15, 2019.
Wilkes Barre has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $15K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 15, 2004.
Wilkes Barre has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 13, 2018.
Wilkes Barre has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 6, 1971.
The most significant disaster event on record for Wilkes Barre was Flash Flood on Sep 9, 2023, which caused $5M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Jun 13, 2018), causing $5M in damages. Flood on Sep 18, 2004 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 18701 has experienced 78 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (41 events), blizzards (17 events), hailstorms (15 events), extreme cold events (2 events), tornadoes (2 events), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 53% of all recorded events.
Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in Wilkes Barre, PA, with 41 events documented. These events have caused a combined $13.6M in property damage.
Yes, Wilkes Barre (ZIP 18701) has 41 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $13.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 13, 2025.
Wilkes Barre has 2 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 $5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 13, 2018.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 18701 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Sep 9, 2023. This event caused $5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $19.4M in property damage in the Wilkes Barre, PA area (ZIP 18701). 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 →