Federal records document 72 natural disaster events in the Washington, DC area (ZIP 20020). These include 39 hailstorms, 22 severe wind events, and 6 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $120.1M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 66 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Washington is hailstorms, with 39 recorded events making up 54% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 15, 2024.
There have been 22 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 31% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $12M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 29, 2023.
Washington has experienced 6 floods on record. Of these, 5 (83%) 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 $270K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 10, 2020.
Washington has experienced 5 tornadoes on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $107.8M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 1, 2021.
The most significant disaster event on record for Washington was EF3 Tornado on Sep 24, 2001, which caused $100M in property damage and was linked to 2 fatalities. Another major event was 81 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jul 29, 2023), causing $10M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Oct 5, 1995 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 20020 has experienced 72 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (39 events), severe wind events (22 events), floods (6 events), and tornadoes (5 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 54% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Washington, DC, with 39 events documented.
Yes, Washington (ZIP 20020) has 6 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $270K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 10, 2020.
Washington has 5 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $107.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 1, 2021.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 20020 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Sep 24, 2001. This event caused $100M in documented property damage. It resulted in 2 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $120.1M in property damage in the Washington, DC area (ZIP 20020). 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 →