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28723 Cullowhee, NC — Natural Disaster History

📊 Disaster Profile: Cullowhee, NC (28723)

Federal records document 66 natural disaster events in the Cullowhee, NC area (ZIP 28723). These include 34 hailstorms, 22 floods, and 3 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $416.9M. Across all recorded events, 10 deaths have been attributed to natural disasters in this area.

⛈️ Hailstorms — Leading Threat

The dominant hazard type for Cullowhee is hailstorms, with 34 recorded events making up 52% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 17, 2025.

🌊 Floods

There have been 22 recorded floods in this area, representing 33% of all disaster events. Of these, 16 (73%) 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 $411.7M in documented property damage. 10 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 27, 2024.

🌪️ Tornadoes

Cullowhee has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 8, 2024.

🥶 Extreme cold events

Cullowhee has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 2 (100%) 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.

🔥 Wildfires

Cullowhee has experienced 2 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Jan 21, 2021.

❄️ Blizzards

Cullowhee has experienced 1 blizzard 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 $3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 4, 2002.

Notable Events

The most significant disaster event on record for Cullowhee was Flash Flood on Aug 17, 2021, which caused $200M in property damage and was linked to 5 fatalities. Another major event was Flash Flood (Sep 27, 2024), causing $200M in damages. Flash Flood on Sep 27, 2024 also caused significant damage ($10M).

📍 Nearby ZIP Codes

Explore disaster history for adjacent areas

Frequently Asked Questions

What natural disasters have occurred in Cullowhee, NC (28723)?

Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28723 has experienced 66 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (34 events), floods (22 events), tornadoes (3 events), extreme cold events (2 events), wildfires (2 events), blizzard (1 event), earthquake (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 52% of all recorded events.

What is the most common natural hazard in ZIP code 28723?

Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Cullowhee, NC, with 34 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1M in property damage.

Is ZIP code 28723 (Cullowhee) prone to flooding?

Yes, Cullowhee (ZIP 28723) has 22 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $411.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 27, 2024.

Has Cullowhee (28723) ever been hit by a tornado?

Cullowhee has 3 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 $250K. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 8, 2024.

What was the worst natural disaster in Cullowhee, NC?

The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28723 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Aug 17, 2021. This event caused $200M in documented property damage. It resulted in 5 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.

How much property damage have natural disasters caused in ZIP code 28723?

Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $416.9M in property damage in the Cullowhee, NC area (ZIP 28723). 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 →

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