Wilkes Barre, PA (ZIP 18705) has experienced 91 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 48 floods, 18 hailstorms, and 17 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $63.3M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 41 injuries.
With 48 recorded incidents (53% of all events), floods are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 19 (40%) 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 $56.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 13, 2025.
There have been 18 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 20% 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.
There have been 17 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 19% 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.
Wilkes Barre has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 13, 2018.
Wilkes Barre has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $150K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 9, 2005.
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.
The most significant disaster event on record for Wilkes Barre was Flood on Sep 8, 2011, which caused $43.5M in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Sep 9, 2023), causing $5M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jun 13, 2018 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 18705 has experienced 91 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (48 events), hailstorms (18 events), blizzards (17 events), tornadoes (3 events), severe wind events (3 events), and extreme cold events (2 events). 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 48 events documented. These events have caused a combined $56.6M in property damage.
Yes, Wilkes Barre (ZIP 18705) has 48 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $56.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 13, 2025.
Wilkes Barre has 3 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 $5.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 13, 2018.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 18705 was Flood, which occurred on Sep 8, 2011. This event caused $43.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $63.3M in property damage in the Wilkes Barre, PA area (ZIP 18705). 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 →