Chicago, IL (ZIP 60603) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 207 natural disaster events on record. These include 100 extreme cold events, 53 extreme heat events, and 27 hailstorms. Total documented property damage amounts to $71.5M. These events have resulted in 506 recorded deaths and 131 injuries.
With 100 recorded incidents (48% 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.
Extreme heat events account for 26% 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 27 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 13% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $17.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 28, 2019.
There have been 15 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 16, 2025.
Chicago 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.
Chicago 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 $27.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 11, 2020.
The most significant disaster event on record for Chicago was EF2 Tornado on Mar 4, 1961, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 1 fatality. Another major event was Lakeshore Flood (Jan 11, 2020), causing $25M in damages. 2" Hail on Jun 30, 2011 also caused significant damage ($17M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 60603 has experienced 207 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include extreme cold events (100 events), extreme heat events (53 events), hailstorms (27 events), severe wind events (15 events), blizzards (6 events), floods (4 events), and tornadoes (2 events). The primary hazard is extreme cold events, which account for 48% of all recorded events.
Extreme cold events are the most frequently recorded hazard in Chicago, IL, with 100 events documented.
Yes, Chicago (ZIP 60603) has 4 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $27.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 11, 2020.
Chicago has 2 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 $25M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 15, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 60603 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Mar 4, 1961. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 1 reported fatality. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $71.5M in property damage in the Chicago, IL area (ZIP 60603). 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 →