Salem, VA (ZIP 24153) has experienced 171 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 92 hailstorms, 59 floods, and 12 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $12.2M. Across all recorded events, 2 deaths have been attributed to natural disasters in this area.
The dominant hazard type for Salem is hailstorms, with 92 recorded events making up 54% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $1.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 22, 2024.
Floods account for 35% of the disaster record here, with 59 events documented. Of these, 19 (32%) 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 $5M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 21, 2025.
There have been 12 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 29, 2012.
Salem has experienced 5 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $3.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 26, 2024.
Salem has experienced 2 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Apr 29, 2018.
Salem has experienced 1 earthquake on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on May 16, 2009.
The most significant disaster event on record for Salem was EF2 Tornado on Apr 4, 1974, which caused $2.5M in property damage. Another major event was 1.8" Hail (Aug 1, 2012), causing $1.3M in damages. EF1 Tornado on May 26, 2024 also caused significant damage ($1.2M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 24153 has experienced 171 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (92 events), floods (59 events), severe wind events (12 events), tornadoes (5 events), wildfires (2 events), and earthquake (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 54% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Salem, VA, with 92 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1.9M in property damage.
Yes, Salem (ZIP 24153) has 59 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 21, 2025.
Salem has 5 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $3.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 26, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 24153 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 4, 1974. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $12.2M in property damage in the Salem, VA area (ZIP 24153). 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 →