Highlands, NC (ZIP 28741) has a moderate disaster history with 41 recorded events. These include 27 hailstorms, 9 floods, and 2 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $9.3M. These events have resulted in 5 recorded deaths and 9 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Highlands is hailstorms, with 27 recorded events making up 66% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 8, 2025.
Highlands has experienced 9 floods on record. Of these, 5 (56%) 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 $7.3M in documented property damage. 5 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 27, 2024.
Highlands has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 8, 2024.
Highlands has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 8, 2007.
Highlands has experienced 1 wildfire on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Mar 13, 2024.
Highlands has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Apr 15, 2007.
The most significant disaster event on record for Highlands was Flood on Sep 16, 2004, which caused $4.4M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Apr 8, 2007), causing $2M in damages. Debris Flow on Sep 16, 2004 also caused significant damage ($1.6M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28741 has experienced 41 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (27 events), floods (9 events), tornadoes (2 events), extreme cold event (1 event), wildfire (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 66% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Highlands, NC, with 27 events documented. These events have caused a combined $5K in property damage.
Yes, Highlands (ZIP 28741) has 9 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $7.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 27, 2024.
Highlands has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 8, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28741 was Flood, which occurred on Sep 16, 2004. This event caused $4.4M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $9.3M in property damage in the Highlands, NC area (ZIP 28741). 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 →