Federal records document 138 natural disaster events in the Lake Elmo, MN area (ZIP 55042). These include 121 hailstorms, 9 severe wind events, and 3 extreme cold events. Total documented property damage amounts to $35.9M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 7 injuries.
With 121 recorded incidents (88% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 2 (2%) 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 $13.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 21, 2025.
Lake Elmo has experienced 9 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $20.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 24, 2023.
Lake Elmo has experienced 3 extreme cold events on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $20K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Dec 23, 2022.
Lake Elmo has experienced 3 floods on record. Of these, 3 (100%) 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. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 6, 2015.
Lake Elmo has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. 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 $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 7, 2000.
The most significant disaster event on record for Lake Elmo was 86 mph Thunderstorm Wind on May 30, 1998, which caused $14M in property damage. Another major event was 4.2" Hail (Aug 24, 2006), causing $10M in damages. 98 mph Thunderstorm Wind on May 19, 1996 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 55042 has experienced 138 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (121 events), severe wind events (9 events), extreme cold events (3 events), floods (3 events), and tornadoes (2 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 88% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Lake Elmo, MN, with 121 events documented. These events have caused a combined $13.9M in property damage.
Yes, Lake Elmo (ZIP 55042) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 6, 2015.
Lake Elmo has 2 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 $250K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 7, 2000.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 55042 was 86 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on May 30, 1998. This event caused $14M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $35.9M in property damage in the Lake Elmo, MN area (ZIP 55042). 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 →