Federal records document 54 natural disaster events in the Waynesville, NC area (ZIP 28786). These include 33 hailstorms, 14 floods, and 3 wildfires. Total documented property damage amounts to $430.6M. These events have resulted in 12 recorded deaths and 2 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Waynesville is hailstorms, with 33 recorded events making up 61% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $55K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 7, 2023.
There have been 14 recorded floods in this area, representing 26% of all disaster events. Of these, 11 (79%) 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 $428.3M in documented property damage. 12 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 27, 2024.
Waynesville has experienced 3 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Mar 14, 2023.
Waynesville has experienced 2 earthquakes on record. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Jun 4, 2023.
Waynesville 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.
Waynesville has experienced 1 tornado on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Feb 18, 1976.
The most significant disaster event on record for Waynesville 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. Flood on Sep 16, 2004 also caused significant damage ($15M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 28786 has experienced 54 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (33 events), floods (14 events), wildfires (3 events), earthquakes (2 events), extreme cold event (1 event), and tornado (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 61% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Waynesville, NC, with 33 events documented. These events have caused a combined $55K in property damage.
Yes, Waynesville (ZIP 28786) has 14 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $428.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 27, 2024.
Waynesville has 1 recorded tornado event in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $250K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Feb 18, 1976.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 28786 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.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $430.6M in property damage in the Waynesville, NC area (ZIP 28786). 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 →