ZIP code 19601, covering Reading, PA, has 82 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 33 hailstorms, 27 blizzards, and 9 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $18.9M. These events have resulted in 11 recorded deaths and 159 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Reading is hailstorms, with 33 recorded events making up 40% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 17, 2024.
There have been 27 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 33% of all disaster events. Of these, 16 (59%) 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 $5.6M in documented property damage. 9 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 10, 2016.
Reading has experienced 9 floods on record. Of these, 5 (56%) 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 4/5 (severe). Flood-related events have caused a combined $220K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
Reading has experienced 4 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 3 (75%) 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). 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 21, 2011.
Reading has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $25.3K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Oct 5, 1979.
Reading has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $13M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Feb 3, 2015.
The most significant disaster event on record for Reading was Cold/Wind Chill on Apr 9, 1997, which caused $13M in property damage. Another major event was Blizzard (Jan 7, 1996), causing $4.5M in damages. Heavy Snow on Feb 16, 2003 also caused significant damage ($1M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 19601 has experienced 82 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (33 events), blizzards (27 events), floods (9 events), extreme heat events (4 events), tornadoes (3 events), extreme cold events (2 events), earthquakes (2 events), and severe wind events (2 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 40% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Reading, PA, with 33 events documented.
Yes, Reading (ZIP 19601) has 9 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $220K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
Reading 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 $25.3K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Oct 5, 1979.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 19601 was Cold/Wind Chill, which occurred on Apr 9, 1997. This event caused $13M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $18.9M in property damage in the Reading, PA area (ZIP 19601). 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 →