Federal records document 86 natural disaster events in the Philadelphia, PA area (ZIP 19153). These include 30 hailstorms, 23 floods, and 11 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $31.2M. These events have resulted in 23 recorded deaths and 62 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Philadelphia is hailstorms, with 30 recorded events making up 35% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 4, 2025.
There have been 23 recorded floods in this area, representing 27% of all disaster events. Of these, 11 (48%) 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 $13.4M 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 severe wind events in this area, representing 13% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $12.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 22, 2019.
Philadelphia has experienced 7 blizzards on record. Of these, 5 (71%) 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 $5M in documented property damage. 5 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 18, 2015.
Philadelphia has experienced 7 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 5 (71%) 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). 12 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 15, 2013.
Philadelphia has experienced 7 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $552.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 10, 2023.
The most significant disaster event on record for Philadelphia was 85 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jun 23, 2015, which caused $10M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Aug 28, 2011), causing $10M in damages. Winter Storm on Feb 9, 2010 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 19153 has experienced 86 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (30 events), floods (23 events), severe wind events (11 events), blizzards (7 events), extreme heat events (7 events), tornadoes (7 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 35% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Philadelphia, PA, with 30 events documented.
Yes, Philadelphia (ZIP 19153) has 23 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $13.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
Philadelphia has 7 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 $552.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 10, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 19153 was 85 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jun 23, 2015. This event caused $10M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $31.2M in property damage in the Philadelphia, PA area (ZIP 19153). 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 →