Federal records document 82 natural disaster events in the Sterling, IL area (ZIP 61081). These include 41 hailstorms, 17 severe wind events, and 15 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $2.3M. A total of 11 injuries have been reported across all events.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 50% of all recorded events (41 total). Hail-related events have caused a combined $64K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 10, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 21% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $77K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Apr 20, 2023.
There have been 15 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 18% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $600K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 20, 2023.
Sterling has experienced 5 floods on record. Of these, 3 (60%) 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 $1.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 21, 2017.
Sterling has experienced 3 blizzards on record. Winter storm events have caused a combined $11K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 5, 2025.
Sterling has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Cold-related events have caused a combined $330K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on May 3, 2005.
The most significant disaster event on record for Sterling was Flood on May 23, 2003, which caused $1M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (May 3, 2005), causing $330K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 61081 has experienced 82 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (41 events), severe wind events (17 events), tornadoes (15 events), floods (5 events), blizzards (3 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 50% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Sterling, IL, with 41 events documented. These events have caused a combined $64K in property damage.
Yes, Sterling (ZIP 61081) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.2M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 21, 2017.
Sterling has 15 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 $600K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 20, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 61081 was Flood, which occurred on May 23, 2003. This event caused $1M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $2.3M in property damage in the Sterling, IL area (ZIP 61081). 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 →