ZIP code 56501, covering Detroit Lakes, MN, has 160 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 128 hailstorms, 12 severe wind events, and 8 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $4M. A total of 13 injuries have been reported across all events.
With 128 recorded incidents (80% 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 $270K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 23, 2024.
There have been 12 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 8% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Oct 13, 2021.
Detroit Lakes has experienced 8 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $1.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 24, 2022.
Detroit Lakes has experienced 7 floods on record. Of these, 2 (29%) 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 $665K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 11, 2016.
Detroit Lakes has experienced 5 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Mar 14, 2023.
The most significant disaster event on record for Detroit Lakes was 81 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jul 11, 2017, which caused $800K in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Jul 12, 2004), causing $600K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 56501 has experienced 160 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (128 events), severe wind events (12 events), tornadoes (8 events), floods (7 events), and wildfires (5 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 80% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Detroit Lakes, MN, with 128 events documented. These events have caused a combined $270K in property damage.
Yes, Detroit Lakes (ZIP 56501) has 7 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $665K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 11, 2016.
Detroit Lakes has 8 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $1.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 24, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 56501 was 81 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jul 11, 2017. This event caused $800K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 2/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $4M in property damage in the Detroit Lakes, MN area (ZIP 56501). 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 →