Government records show 819 natural disaster events affecting the Joshua Tree, CA area (ZIP 92252) — a notably active disaster history. These include 706 earthquakes, 71 floods, and 35 wildfires. Total documented property damage amounts to $1.6M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 6 injuries.
Earthquakes represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 86% of all recorded events (706 total). Of these, 12 (2%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for seismic events here is 5/5 (extreme). The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Dec 23, 2023.
Floods account for 9% of the disaster record here, with 71 events documented. Of these, 10 (14%) 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 $1.6M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 27, 2025.
There have been 35 recorded wildfires in this area, representing 4% of all disaster events. Of these, 3 (9%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wildfire-related events here is 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Mar 14, 2023.
Joshua Tree has experienced 5 hailstorms on record. Hail-related events have caused a combined $10K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 3, 2025.
Joshua Tree has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $27.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Sep 7, 1982.
The most significant disaster event on record for Joshua Tree was Flash Flood on Sep 16, 2014, which caused $750K in property damage and was linked to 1 fatality. Another major event was Flash Flood (Aug 4, 2008), causing $200K in damages.
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 92252 has experienced 819 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (706 events), floods (71 events), wildfires (35 events), hailstorms (5 events), and tornadoes (2 events). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 86% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Joshua Tree, CA, with 706 events documented.
Yes, Joshua Tree (ZIP 92252) has 71 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 27, 2025.
Joshua Tree has 2 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 $27.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Sep 7, 1982.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 92252 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Sep 16, 2014. This event caused $750K in documented property damage. It resulted in 1 reported fatality. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $1.6M in property damage in the Joshua Tree, CA area (ZIP 92252). 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 →