Federal records document 129 natural disaster events in the Potomac, MD area (ZIP 20854). These include 74 hailstorms, 20 floods, and 11 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $40.8M. These events have resulted in 14 recorded deaths and 55 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Potomac is hailstorms, with 74 recorded events making up 57% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $21K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 29, 2024.
There have been 20 recorded floods in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Of these, 10 (50%) 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 $21.7M in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 1, 2021.
There have been 11 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $10.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 16, 2025.
Potomac has experienced 8 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 5 (63%) 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). 7 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jun 24, 2010.
Potomac has experienced 7 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (29%) 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 $2.9M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 5, 2010.
Potomac has experienced 6 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 5, 2024.
The most significant disaster event on record for Potomac was Flood on Jan 19, 1996, which caused $20M in property damage. Another major event was 85 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jul 29, 2023), causing $10M in damages. EF1 Tornado on Jun 5, 2024 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 20854 has experienced 129 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (74 events), floods (20 events), severe wind events (11 events), extreme heat events (8 events), blizzards (7 events), tornadoes (6 events), and extreme cold events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 57% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Potomac, MD, with 74 events documented. These events have caused a combined $21K in property damage.
Yes, Potomac (ZIP 20854) has 20 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $21.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 1, 2021.
Potomac has 6 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $5.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 5, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 20854 was Flood, which occurred on Jan 19, 1996. This event caused $20M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $40.8M in property damage in the Potomac, MD area (ZIP 20854). 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 →