Silver Spring, MD (ZIP 20901) has experienced 98 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 61 hailstorms, 14 floods, and 9 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $115.9M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 77 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Silver Spring is hailstorms, with 61 recorded events making up 62% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 7, 2023.
There have been 14 recorded floods in this area, representing 14% of all disaster events. Of these, 7 (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 $795K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 10, 2020.
Silver Spring has experienced 9 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $11.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 29, 2023.
Silver Spring has experienced 7 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 $460K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 5, 2010.
Silver Spring 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 $102.8M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 20, 2008.
Silver Spring has experienced 2 extreme heat events on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jun 8, 2008.
The most significant disaster event on record for Silver Spring was EF3 Tornado on Sep 24, 2001, which caused $100M in property damage and was linked to 2 fatalities. Another major event was 85 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jul 29, 2023), causing $10M in damages. EF1 Tornado on Oct 18, 1990 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 20901 has experienced 98 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (61 events), floods (14 events), severe wind events (9 events), blizzards (7 events), tornadoes (5 events), and extreme heat events (2 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 62% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Silver Spring, MD, with 61 events documented.
Yes, Silver Spring (ZIP 20901) has 14 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $795K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 10, 2020.
Silver Spring 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 $102.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 20, 2008.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 20901 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 $115.9M in property damage in the Silver Spring, MD area (ZIP 20901). 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 →