ZIP code 78521, covering Brownsville, TX, has 74 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 25 hailstorms, 21 floods, and 12 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $217M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 16 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Brownsville is hailstorms, with 25 recorded events making up 34% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 2 (8%) 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 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $50M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Nov 1, 2025.
There have been 21 recorded floods in this area, representing 28% of all disaster events. Of these, 11 (52%) 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 $111.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 5, 2023.
There have been 12 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 9, 2023.
Brownsville has experienced 6 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $3.1M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 13, 2023.
Brownsville has experienced 4 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Sep 23, 2022.
Brownsville has experienced 2 blizzards on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 4/5 (severe). Winter storm events have caused a combined $60K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 16, 2018.
The most significant disaster event on record for Brownsville was 2.8" Hail on Apr 8, 2003, which caused $50M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Feb 14, 2021), causing $46M in damages. Flood on Jul 24, 2008 also caused significant damage ($37.5M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 78521 has experienced 74 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (25 events), floods (21 events), severe wind events (12 events), tornadoes (6 events), wildfires (4 events), blizzards (2 events), extreme cold events (2 events), and extreme heat events (2 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 34% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Brownsville, TX, with 25 events documented. These events have caused a combined $50M in property damage.
Yes, Brownsville (ZIP 78521) has 21 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $111.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 5, 2023.
Brownsville has 6 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 $3.1M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 13, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 78521 was 2.8" Hail, which occurred on Apr 8, 2003. This event caused $50M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $217M in property damage in the Brownsville, TX area (ZIP 78521). 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 →