South Padre Isla, TX (ZIP 78597) has a moderate disaster history with 34 recorded events. These include 11 severe wind events, 7 floods, and 4 wildfires. Total documented property damage amounts to $134.2M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 11 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for South Padre Isla is severe wind events, with 11 recorded events making up 32% of the area's disaster history. 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.
South Padre Isla has experienced 7 floods on record. Of these, 5 (71%) 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 $81M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 30, 2010.
South Padre Isla has experienced 4 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Sep 23, 2022.
South Padre Isla has experienced 3 hailstorms on record. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 18, 2016.
South Padre Isla has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $525.3K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 13, 2023.
South Padre Isla 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 South Padre Isla was Frost/Freeze on Feb 14, 2021, which caused $46M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jul 24, 2008), causing $37.5M in damages. Flash Flood on Jul 23, 2008 also caused significant damage ($37.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 78597 has experienced 34 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include severe wind events (11 events), floods (7 events), wildfires (4 events), hailstorms (3 events), tornadoes (3 events), blizzards (2 events), extreme cold events (2 events), and extreme heat events (2 events). The primary hazard is severe wind events, which account for 32% of all recorded events.
Severe wind events are the most frequently recorded hazard in South Padre Isla, TX, with 11 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1.5M in property damage.
Yes, South Padre Isla (ZIP 78597) has 7 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $81M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 30, 2010.
South Padre Isla has 3 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $525.3K. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 13, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 78597 was Frost/Freeze, which occurred on Feb 14, 2021. This event caused $46M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $134.2M in property damage in the South Padre Isla, TX area (ZIP 78597). 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 →