Federal records document 67 natural disaster events in the Salem, AL area (ZIP 36874). These include 37 hailstorms, 17 tornadoes, and 5 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $13.1M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 80 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Salem is hailstorms, with 37 recorded events making up 55% of the area's disaster history. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $40K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Mar 31, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 25% of all disaster events. Of these, 3 (18%) 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 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $9.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Mar 3, 2019.
Salem has experienced 5 floods on record. Of these, 3 (60%) 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 $2.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Dec 14, 2009.
Salem has experienced 3 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (67%) 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 $60K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 28, 2014.
Salem has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $50K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Feb 15, 2016.
Salem 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 4/5 (severe). Cold-related events have caused a combined $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Mar 7, 1996.
The most significant disaster event on record for Salem was EF2 Tornado on Nov 16, 2011, which caused $5M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Jan 10, 1975), causing $2.5M in damages. Flood on May 8, 2003 also caused significant damage ($1.9M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 36874 has experienced 67 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (37 events), tornadoes (17 events), floods (5 events), blizzards (3 events), severe wind events (3 events), extreme cold event (1 event), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 55% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Salem, AL, with 37 events documented. These events have caused a combined $40K in property damage.
Yes, Salem (ZIP 36874) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $2.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Dec 14, 2009.
Salem has 17 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $9.7M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Mar 3, 2019.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 36874 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Nov 16, 2011. This event caused $5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $13.1M in property damage in the Salem, AL area (ZIP 36874). 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 →