Rochester, KY (ZIP 42273) has a moderate disaster history with 18 recorded events. These include 7 hailstorms, 7 tornadoes, and 3 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $6.5M. These events have resulted in 1 recorded death and 1 injury.
With 7 recorded incidents (39% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 16, 2025.
Rochester has experienced 7 tornadoes on record. Of these, 3 (43%) 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 $5.3M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 26, 2024.
Rochester has experienced 3 floods 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 flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $1.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on May 2, 2010.
Rochester 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 $100K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 22, 2004.
The most significant disaster event on record for Rochester was EF3 Tornado on Apr 27, 1971, which caused $2.5M in property damage and was linked to 1 fatality. Another major event was EF3 Tornado (Apr 27, 1971), causing $2.5M in damages. Flood on Mar 1, 1997 also caused significant damage ($1M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 42273 has experienced 18 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (7 events), tornadoes (7 events), floods (3 events), and blizzard (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 39% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Rochester, KY, with 7 events documented.
Yes, Rochester (ZIP 42273) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on May 2, 2010.
Rochester has 7 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 $5.3M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 26, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 42273 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 27, 1971. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It resulted in 1 reported fatality. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $6.5M in property damage in the Rochester, KY area (ZIP 42273). 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 →