Tempe, AZ (ZIP 85281) has experienced 73 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 25 floods, 22 hailstorms, and 21 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $125M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 59 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Tempe is floods, with 25 recorded events making up 34% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 9 (36%) 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 $5.5M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 12, 2025.
There have been 22 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 30% of all disaster events. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Nov 19, 2025.
There have been 21 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 29% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $89M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Oct 13, 2025.
Tempe has experienced 5 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $30.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 16, 1983.
The most significant disaster event on record for Tempe was 105 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jul 14, 2002, which caused $30M in property damage. Another major event was 104 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Sep 19, 1999), causing $30M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jun 21, 1972 also caused significant damage ($25M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 85281 has experienced 73 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (25 events), hailstorms (22 events), severe wind events (21 events), and tornadoes (5 events). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 34% of all recorded events.
Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in Tempe, AZ, with 25 events documented. These events have caused a combined $5.5M in property damage.
Yes, Tempe (ZIP 85281) has 25 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $5.5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 12, 2025.
Tempe has 5 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 $30.5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 16, 1983.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 85281 was 105 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jul 14, 2002. This event caused $30M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $125M in property damage in the Tempe, AZ area (ZIP 85281). 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 →