Federal records document 98 natural disaster events in the Watertown, WI area (ZIP 53098). These include 42 hailstorms, 17 floods, and 16 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $65.6M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 19 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Watertown is hailstorms, with 42 recorded events making up 43% 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 $3.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 22, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded floods in this area, representing 17% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (47%) 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 $57.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 1, 2024.
There have been 16 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Of these, 4 (25%) 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 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $217K in documented property damage. 5 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Apr 2, 2024.
There have been 15 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 15% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 15, 2025.
Watertown has experienced 5 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $301.6K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 21, 2016.
Watertown has experienced 3 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $12K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 21, 2014.
The most significant disaster event on record for Watertown was Flood on Jun 1, 2004, which caused $22.8M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jun 17, 1996), causing $11.1M in damages. Flash Flood on Jun 8, 2008 also caused significant damage ($9.9M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 53098 has experienced 98 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (42 events), floods (17 events), blizzards (16 events), tornadoes (15 events), severe wind events (5 events), and extreme cold events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 43% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Watertown, WI, with 42 events documented. These events have caused a combined $3.7M in property damage.
Yes, Watertown (ZIP 53098) has 17 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $57.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 1, 2024.
Watertown has 15 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 $4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 15, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 53098 was Flood, which occurred on Jun 1, 2004. This event caused $22.8M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $65.6M in property damage in the Watertown, WI area (ZIP 53098). 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 →