ZIP code 28139, covering Rutherfordton, NC, has 128 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 95 hailstorms, 14 floods, and 10 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $16M.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 74% of all recorded events (95 total). The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 25, 2025.
There have been 14 recorded floods in this area, representing 11% of all disaster events. Of these, 6 (43%) 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 $2.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 7, 2021.
Rutherfordton has experienced 10 tornadoes on record. Of these, 2 (20%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $3.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Oct 23, 2017.
Rutherfordton has experienced 3 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (67%) 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 $9.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 15, 2005.
Rutherfordton has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $50K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 10, 2011.
Rutherfordton has experienced 2 earthquakes on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Aug 4, 2007.
The most significant disaster event on record for Rutherfordton was Ice Storm on Dec 4, 2002, which caused $9M in property damage. Another major event was EF4 Tornado (May 5, 1989), causing $2.5M in damages. Frost/Freeze on Apr 8, 2007 also caused significant damage ($1M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28139 has experienced 128 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (95 events), floods (14 events), tornadoes (10 events), blizzards (3 events), severe wind events (3 events), earthquakes (2 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 74% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Rutherfordton, NC, with 95 events documented.
Yes, Rutherfordton (ZIP 28139) has 14 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $2.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 7, 2021.
Rutherfordton has 10 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $3.2M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Oct 23, 2017.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28139 was Ice Storm, which occurred on Dec 4, 2002. This event caused $9M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $16M in property damage in the Rutherfordton, NC area (ZIP 28139). 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 →