Government records show 230 natural disaster events affecting the Evanston, IL area (ZIP 60203) — a notably active disaster history. These include 100 extreme cold events, 61 hailstorms, and 53 extreme heat events. Total documented property damage amounts to $527.5M. These events have resulted in 505 recorded deaths and 16 injuries.
With 100 recorded incidents (43% of all events), extreme cold events are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. 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 27% of the disaster record here, with 61 events documented. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 5, 2024.
Extreme heat events account for 23% 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.
Evanston has experienced 6 blizzards on record. Of these, 4 (67%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $700K in documented property damage. 15 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 29, 2018.
Evanston has experienced 4 floods on record. Of these, 4 (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 $525.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 2, 2023.
Evanston has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $500K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
The most significant disaster event on record for Evanston was Flash Flood on Jul 2, 2023, which caused $500M in property damage. Another major event was Lakeshore Flood (Jan 11, 2020), causing $25M in damages. Excessive Heat on Jul 4, 2012 also caused significant damage ($750K).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 60203 has experienced 230 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include extreme cold events (100 events), hailstorms (61 events), extreme heat events (53 events), blizzards (6 events), floods (4 events), tornadoes (3 events), and severe wind events (3 events). The primary hazard is extreme cold events, which account for 43% of all recorded events.
Extreme cold events are the most frequently recorded hazard in Evanston, IL, with 100 events documented.
Yes, Evanston (ZIP 60203) has 4 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $525.5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 2, 2023.
Evanston has 3 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $500K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 10, 2020.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 60203 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Jul 2, 2023. This event caused $500M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $527.5M in property damage in the Evanston, IL area (ZIP 60203). 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 →