Federal records document 127 natural disaster events in the Philadelphia, PA area (ZIP 19120). These include 79 extreme heat events, 13 floods, and 11 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $132.2M. These events have resulted in 381 recorded deaths and 401 injuries.
Extreme heat events represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 62% of all recorded events (79 total). Of these, 45 (57%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Heat-related events have caused a combined $25K in documented property damage. 346 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 5, 2018.
There have been 13 recorded floods in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (62%) 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 $124.2M in documented property damage. 3 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
There have been 11 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Of these, 7 (64%) 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 $7.5M in documented property damage. 14 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 22, 2016.
There have been 11 recorded extreme cold events in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (45%) 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 $250K in documented property damage. 18 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Feb 20, 2015.
Philadelphia has experienced 9 hailstorms on record. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 3, 2025.
Philadelphia has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $277.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 9, 1989.
The most significant disaster event on record for Philadelphia was Flash Flood on Sep 1, 2021, which caused $60M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Aug 28, 2011), causing $50M in damages. Flood on Aug 28, 2011 also caused significant damage ($10M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 19120 has experienced 127 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include extreme heat events (79 events), floods (13 events), blizzards (11 events), extreme cold events (11 events), hailstorms (9 events), tornadoes (3 events), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is extreme heat events, which account for 62% of all recorded events.
Extreme heat events are the most frequently recorded hazard in Philadelphia, PA, with 79 events documented. These events have caused a combined $25K in property damage.
Yes, Philadelphia (ZIP 19120) has 13 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $124.2M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
Philadelphia 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 $277.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 9, 1989.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 19120 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Sep 1, 2021. This event caused $60M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $132.2M in property damage in the Philadelphia, PA area (ZIP 19120). 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 →