With 285 documented natural disaster events, ZIP code 60016 in Des Plaines, IL has a substantial history of natural hazard activity. These include 100 extreme cold events, 91 hailstorms, and 53 extreme heat events. Total documented property damage amounts to $55.3M. These events have resulted in 507 recorded deaths and 58 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Des Plaines is extreme cold events, with 100 recorded events making up 35% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 20 (20%) 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). 149 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 18, 2016.
Hailstorms account for 32% of the disaster record here, with 91 events documented. Hail-related events have caused a combined $873K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 16, 2025.
Extreme heat events account for 19% of the disaster record here, with 53 events documented. Of these, 32 (60%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Heat-related events have caused a combined $775K in documented property damage. 341 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Sep 11, 2013.
There have been 18 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 6% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $2.9M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 15, 2024.
Des Plaines has experienced 9 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $3.4M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 21, 2011.
Des Plaines has experienced 8 floods on record. Of these, 8 (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 $46.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 11, 2020.
The most significant disaster event on record for Des Plaines was Lakeshore Flood on Jan 11, 2020, which caused $25M in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Jul 23, 2011), causing $10M in damages. Flash Flood on Apr 18, 2013 also caused significant damage ($6M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 60016 has experienced 285 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include extreme cold events (100 events), hailstorms (91 events), extreme heat events (53 events), severe wind events (18 events), tornadoes (9 events), floods (8 events), and blizzards (6 events). The primary hazard is extreme cold events, which account for 35% of all recorded events.
Extreme cold events are the most frequently recorded hazard in Des Plaines, IL, with 100 events documented.
Yes, Des Plaines (ZIP 60016) has 8 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $46.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 11, 2020.
Des Plaines has 9 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 $3.4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 21, 2011.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 60016 was Lakeshore Flood, which occurred on Jan 11, 2020. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $55.3M in property damage in the Des Plaines, IL area (ZIP 60016). 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 →