ZIP code 55388, covering Watertown, MN, has 86 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 69 hailstorms, 10 tornadoes, and 3 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $76M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 88 injuries.
With 69 recorded incidents (80% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 5 (7%) 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 $44.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 15, 2025.
Watertown has experienced 10 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 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $31.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 28, 2025.
Watertown has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 14, 1998.
Watertown has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $20K 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 29, 2019.
Watertown has experienced 1 blizzard on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 23, 1996.
Watertown has experienced 1 flood on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Flood-related events have caused a combined $100K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 23, 2013.
The most significant disaster event on record for Watertown was 3" Hail on Jun 11, 2001, which caused $25M in property damage. Another major event was EF4 Tornado (May 6, 1965), causing $25M in damages. 2.8" Hail on Jun 11, 2001 also caused significant damage ($15M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 55388 has experienced 86 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (69 events), tornadoes (10 events), severe wind events (3 events), extreme cold events (2 events), blizzard (1 event), and flood (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 80% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Watertown, MN, with 69 events documented. These events have caused a combined $44.3M in property damage.
Yes, Watertown (ZIP 55388) has 1 recorded flood event. These floods have caused $100K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 23, 2013.
Watertown has 10 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $31.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 28, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 55388 was 3" Hail, which occurred on Jun 11, 2001. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $76M in property damage in the Watertown, MN area (ZIP 55388). 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 →