Laurel, DE (ZIP 19956) has a moderate disaster history with 30 recorded events. These include 16 hailstorms, 5 blizzards, and 3 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $5.7M. A total of 1 injury has been reported across all events.
The dominant hazard type for Laurel is hailstorms, with 16 recorded events making up 53% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 5, 2022.
Laurel has experienced 5 blizzards on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 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. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 19, 2025.
Laurel has experienced 3 floods on record. Of these, 3 (100%) 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 $650K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 28, 2021.
Laurel has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 16, 2025.
Laurel has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $30K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 16, 2025.
The most significant disaster event on record for Laurel was Ice Storm on Dec 23, 1998, which caused $5M in property damage. Another major event was Coastal Flood (Oct 29, 2012), causing $250K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 19956 has experienced 30 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (16 events), blizzards (5 events), floods (3 events), tornadoes (3 events), and severe wind events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 53% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Laurel, DE, with 16 events documented.
Yes, Laurel (ZIP 19956) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $650K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 28, 2021.
Laurel has 3 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 16, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 19956 was Ice Storm, which occurred on Dec 23, 1998. This event caused $5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $5.7M in property damage in the Laurel, DE area (ZIP 19956). 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 →