West Bethesda, MD (ZIP 20817) has experienced 95 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 67 hailstorms, 17 floods, and 8 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $44.5M. These events have resulted in 4 recorded deaths and 7 injuries.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 71% of all recorded events (67 total). Hail-related events have caused a combined $1K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 7, 2023.
There have been 17 recorded floods in this area, representing 18% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (47%) 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 $1.7M in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 1, 2021.
West Bethesda has experienced 8 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $40M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 29, 2023.
West Bethesda has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $2.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 21, 2000.
The most significant disaster event on record for West Bethesda was 84 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jul 29, 2023, which caused $20M in property damage. Another major event was 81 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jul 29, 2023), causing $10M in damages. 85 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jul 29, 2023 also caused significant damage ($10M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 20817 has experienced 95 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (67 events), floods (17 events), severe wind events (8 events), and tornadoes (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 71% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in West Bethesda, MD, with 67 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1K in property damage.
Yes, West Bethesda (ZIP 20817) has 17 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 1, 2021.
West Bethesda has 3 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $2.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 21, 2000.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 20817 was 84 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jul 29, 2023. This event caused $20M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $44.5M in property damage in the West Bethesda, MD area (ZIP 20817). 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 →