ZIP code 24521, covering Amherst, VA, has 74 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 38 hailstorms, 16 floods, and 9 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $1.9M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 5 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Amherst is hailstorms, with 38 recorded events making up 51% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $5.3K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Dec 31, 2024.
There have been 16 recorded floods in this area, representing 22% of all disaster events. Of these, 4 (25%) 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 $720.4K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Apr 13, 2020.
Amherst has experienced 9 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (22%) 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 $127K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 11, 2025.
Amherst has experienced 6 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 3 (50%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Cold-related events have caused a combined $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 8, 2007.
Amherst has experienced 4 wildfires on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wildfire-related events here is 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Nov 19, 2016.
Amherst has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 31, 2025.
The most significant disaster event on record for Amherst was Frost/Freeze on Apr 8, 2007, which caused $500K in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Nov 29, 2005), causing $325K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 24521 has experienced 74 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (38 events), floods (16 events), blizzards (9 events), extreme cold events (6 events), wildfires (4 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 51% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Amherst, VA, with 38 events documented. These events have caused a combined $5.3K in property damage.
Yes, Amherst (ZIP 24521) has 16 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $720.4K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Apr 13, 2020.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 24521 was Frost/Freeze, which occurred on Apr 8, 2007. This event caused $500K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $1.9M in property damage in the Amherst, VA area (ZIP 24521). 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 →