Federal records document 99 natural disaster events in the Bessemer, AL area (ZIP 35020). These include 58 hailstorms, 17 tornadoes, and 9 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $38.7M. These events have resulted in 57 recorded deaths and 450 injuries.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 59% of all recorded events (58 total). Hail-related events have caused a combined $555K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 18, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 17% of all disaster events. Of these, 6 (35%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $36.6M in documented property damage. 48 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 10, 2023.
Bessemer 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 $384K in documented property damage. 3 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Mar 16, 2022.
Bessemer has experienced 6 blizzards on record. Of these, 3 (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 4/5 (severe). Winter storm events have caused a combined $111K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 28, 2014.
Bessemer has experienced 4 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 2 (50%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Heat-related events have caused a combined $100K in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 22, 2025.
Bessemer has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $9K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Apr 11, 2011.
The most significant disaster event on record for Bessemer was EF5 Tornado on Apr 4, 1977, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 22 fatalities. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Dec 10, 2023), causing $5M in damages. EF4 Tornado on Apr 15, 1956 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 35020 has experienced 99 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (58 events), tornadoes (17 events), floods (9 events), blizzards (6 events), extreme heat events (4 events), severe wind events (3 events), and extreme cold events (2 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 59% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Bessemer, AL, with 58 events documented. These events have caused a combined $555K in property damage.
Yes, Bessemer (ZIP 35020) has 9 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $384K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Mar 16, 2022.
Bessemer has 17 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $36.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 10, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 35020 was EF5 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 4, 1977. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 22 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $38.7M in property damage in the Bessemer, AL area (ZIP 35020). 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 →