Sapphire, NC (ZIP 28774) has a moderate disaster history with 33 recorded events. These include 18 hailstorms, 7 floods, and 3 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $19.4M. Across all recorded events, 1 death has been attributed to natural disasters in this area.
The dominant hazard type for Sapphire is hailstorms, with 18 recorded events making up 55% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 8, 2025.
Sapphire has experienced 7 floods on record. Of these, 5 (71%) 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 $9.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Apr 13, 2020.
Sapphire has experienced 3 blizzards on record. Of these, 3 (100%) 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 $7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 15, 2005.
Sapphire has experienced 2 extreme cold events 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 $3M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 8, 2007.
Sapphire has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $25K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 13, 2020.
Sapphire 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 Sapphire was Ice Storm on Dec 4, 2002, which caused $6M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Sep 7, 2004), causing $5.5M in damages. Flood on Sep 16, 2004 also caused significant damage ($3.4M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28774 has experienced 33 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (18 events), floods (7 events), blizzards (3 events), extreme cold events (2 events), tornadoes (2 events), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 55% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Sapphire, NC, with 18 events documented.
Yes, Sapphire (ZIP 28774) has 7 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $9.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Apr 13, 2020.
Sapphire has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $25K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 13, 2020.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28774 was Ice Storm, which occurred on Dec 4, 2002. This event caused $6M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $19.4M in property damage in the Sapphire, NC area (ZIP 28774). 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 →