Gaithersburg, MD (ZIP 20886) has experienced 79 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 34 hailstorms, 14 floods, and 9 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $30.9M. These events have resulted in 10 recorded deaths and 51 injuries.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 43% of all recorded events (34 total). Hail-related events have caused a combined $115K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 3, 2025.
There have been 14 recorded floods in this area, representing 18% of all disaster events. Of these, 4 (29%) 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 $20.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 31, 2019.
Gaithersburg has experienced 9 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 16, 2025.
Gaithersburg 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.
Gaithersburg 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.
Gaithersburg has experienced 4 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 5, 2024.
The most significant disaster event on record for Gaithersburg was Flood on Jan 19, 1996, which caused $20M in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Jun 5, 2024), causing $5M in damages. Ice Storm on Jan 14, 1999 also caused significant damage ($2.9M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 20886 has experienced 79 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (34 events), floods (14 events), severe wind events (9 events), extreme heat events (8 events), blizzards (7 events), tornadoes (4 events), and extreme cold events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 43% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Gaithersburg, MD, with 34 events documented. These events have caused a combined $115K in property damage.
Yes, Gaithersburg (ZIP 20886) has 14 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $20.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 31, 2019.
Gaithersburg has 4 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $5.5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 5, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 20886 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 $30.9M in property damage in the Gaithersburg, MD area (ZIP 20886). 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 →