Federal records document 122 natural disaster events in the Decatur, IL area (ZIP 62521). These include 81 hailstorms, 24 tornadoes, and 10 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $32.6M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 82 injuries.
With 81 recorded incidents (66% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 2 (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 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Nov 18, 2025.
There have been 24 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 20% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (21%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $26.6M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jan 3, 2023.
Decatur has experienced 10 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 19, 2025.
Decatur has experienced 6 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (33%) 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 $1.6M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Mar 14, 2020.
Decatur has experienced 1 flood on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $4.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 26, 2014.
The most significant disaster event on record for Decatur was EF3 Tornado on Apr 19, 1996, which caused $9M in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Aug 26, 2014), causing $4.4M in damages. EF3 Tornado on Apr 3, 1974 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 62521 has experienced 122 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (81 events), tornadoes (24 events), severe wind events (10 events), blizzards (6 events), and flood (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 66% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Decatur, IL, with 81 events documented.
Yes, Decatur (ZIP 62521) has 1 recorded flood event. These floods have caused $4.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 26, 2014.
Decatur has 24 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $26.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jan 3, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 62521 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 19, 1996. This event caused $9M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $32.6M in property damage in the Decatur, IL area (ZIP 62521). 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 →