Federal records document 135 natural disaster events in the Wadena, MN area (ZIP 56482). These include 87 hailstorms, 22 tornadoes, and 17 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $3.8M. A total of 26 injuries have been reported across all events.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 64% of all recorded events (87 total). Of these, 6 (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 $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 12, 2025.
There have been 22 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (9%) 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 $3.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 12, 2022.
There have been 17 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 13% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wind-related events here is 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 20, 2022.
Wadena has experienced 8 floods on record. Of these, 4 (50%) 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 $320K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 17, 2018.
Wadena has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $21K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Mar 8, 2003.
The most significant disaster event on record for Wadena was EF2 Tornado on Oct 26, 1996, which caused $750K in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Jul 14, 2010), causing $550K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 56482 has experienced 135 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (87 events), tornadoes (22 events), severe wind events (17 events), floods (8 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 64% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Wadena, MN, with 87 events documented. These events have caused a combined $250K in property damage.
Yes, Wadena (ZIP 56482) has 8 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $320K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 17, 2018.
Wadena has 22 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 $3.2M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 12, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 56482 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Oct 26, 1996. This event caused $750K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $3.8M in property damage in the Wadena, MN area (ZIP 56482). 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 →