ZIP code 55421, covering Columbia Heights, MN, has 172 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 151 hailstorms, 7 tornadoes, and 5 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $276.8M. These events have resulted in 10 recorded deaths and 555 injuries.
With 151 recorded incidents (88% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 3 (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 $18M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 27, 2025.
Columbia Heights has experienced 7 tornadoes on record. Of these, 4 (57%) 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 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $253M in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 22, 2011.
Columbia Heights has experienced 5 floods on record. Of these, 4 (80%) 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 $5.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 21, 2016.
Columbia Heights has experienced 4 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 3 (75%) 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). 5 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 1, 2018.
Columbia Heights has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 6, 1996.
Columbia Heights has experienced 1 blizzard on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 10, 2010.
The most significant disaster event on record for Columbia Heights was EF1 Tornado on May 15, 1998, which caused $150M in property damage. Another major event was EF4 Tornado (May 6, 1965), causing $25M in damages. EF3 Tornado on Apr 26, 1984 also caused significant damage ($25M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 55421 has experienced 172 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (151 events), tornadoes (7 events), floods (5 events), extreme cold events (4 events), severe wind events (3 events), blizzard (1 event), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 88% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Columbia Heights, MN, with 151 events documented. These events have caused a combined $18M in property damage.
Yes, Columbia Heights (ZIP 55421) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $5.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 21, 2016.
Columbia Heights has 7 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 $253M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 22, 2011.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 55421 was EF1 Tornado, which occurred on May 15, 1998. This event caused $150M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $276.8M in property damage in the Columbia Heights, MN area (ZIP 55421). 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 →