Federal records document 185 natural disaster events in the Madison, WI area (ZIP 53704). These include 117 hailstorms, 19 floods, and 17 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $174.9M. These events have resulted in 17 recorded deaths and 262 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Madison is hailstorms, with 117 recorded events making up 63% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 5 (4%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $33.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 15, 2025.
There have been 19 recorded floods in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (42%) 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 $131.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 23, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (29%) 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 $410K in documented property damage. 9 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 19, 2024.
There have been 12 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 6% 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 $5.9M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 16, 2014.
Madison has experienced 10 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $3.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 20, 2006.
Madison has experienced 6 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 4 (67%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $350K in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 1, 2018.
The most significant disaster event on record for Madison was Flash Flood on Jun 12, 2008, which caused $78.1M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Aug 20, 2018), causing $32.8M in damages. Flood on Jun 17, 1996 also caused significant damage ($13M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 53704 has experienced 185 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (117 events), floods (19 events), blizzards (17 events), tornadoes (12 events), severe wind events (10 events), extreme cold events (6 events), and extreme heat events (4 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 63% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Madison, WI, with 117 events documented. These events have caused a combined $33.6M in property damage.
Yes, Madison (ZIP 53704) has 19 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $131.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 23, 2025.
Madison has 12 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 $5.9M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 16, 2014.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 53704 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Jun 12, 2008. This event caused $78.1M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $174.9M in property damage in the Madison, WI area (ZIP 53704). 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 →