Cottonwood, AL (ZIP 36320) has a moderate disaster history with 28 recorded events. These include 12 tornadoes, 6 hailstorms, and 4 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $99M. These events have resulted in 5 recorded deaths and 25 injuries.
Tornadoes represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 43% of all recorded events (12 total). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $10.5M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jan 9, 2024.
Cottonwood has experienced 6 hailstorms on record. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 27, 2025.
Cottonwood has experienced 4 floods 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 flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $85.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Feb 12, 2024.
Cottonwood has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $250K in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jan 2, 2017.
Cottonwood 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 $200K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 28, 2014.
Cottonwood has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $50K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Dec 24, 2022.
The most significant disaster event on record for Cottonwood was Flood on Mar 8, 1998, which caused $85M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Jan 9, 2024), causing $6M in damages. Category 2 Hurricane (Typhoon) on Oct 10, 2018 also caused significant damage ($2.9M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 36320 has experienced 28 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include tornadoes (12 events), hailstorms (6 events), floods (4 events), severe wind events (3 events), blizzard (1 event), extreme cold event (1 event), and hurricane (1 event). The primary hazard is tornadoes, which account for 43% of all recorded events.
Tornadoes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Cottonwood, AL, with 12 events documented. These events have caused a combined $10.5M in property damage.
Yes, Cottonwood (ZIP 36320) has 4 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $85.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Feb 12, 2024.
Cottonwood has 12 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 $10.5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jan 9, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 36320 was Flood, which occurred on Mar 8, 1998. This event caused $85M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $99M in property damage in the Cottonwood, AL area (ZIP 36320). 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 →