ZIP code 28604, covering Banner Elk, NC, has 118 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 48 floods, 48 hailstorms, and 8 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $299.1M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 6 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Banner Elk is floods, with 48 recorded events making up 41% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 19 (40%) 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 $270.1M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on May 12, 2025.
There have been 48 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 41% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (4%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $475K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 2, 2023.
Banner Elk has experienced 8 blizzards on record. Of these, 4 (50%) 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 $418K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 3, 2022.
Banner Elk has experienced 7 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $28M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Sep 27, 2024.
Banner Elk has experienced 4 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $38K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Sep 25, 2024.
Banner Elk has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $23K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Mar 8, 1996.
The most significant disaster event on record for Banner Elk was Flash Flood on Sep 27, 2024, which caused $250M in property damage and was linked to 2 fatalities. Another major event was 91 mph High Wind (Sep 27, 2024), causing $28M in damages. Flash Flood on Sep 25, 2011 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28604 has experienced 118 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (48 events), hailstorms (48 events), blizzards (8 events), severe wind events (7 events), tornadoes (4 events), extreme cold events (2 events), and wildfire (1 event). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 41% of all recorded events.
Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in Banner Elk, NC, with 48 events documented. These events have caused a combined $270.1M in property damage.
Yes, Banner Elk (ZIP 28604) has 48 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $270.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on May 12, 2025.
Banner Elk has 4 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 $38K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Sep 25, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28604 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Sep 27, 2024. This event caused $250M in documented property damage. It resulted in 2 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $299.1M in property damage in the Banner Elk, NC area (ZIP 28604). 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 →