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19717 Zip Code Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

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The chance of earthquake damage in 19717 Zip Code is lower than Delaware average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in 19717 Zip Code is higher than Delaware average and is about the same as the national average.

Topics:Earthquake Index Volcano Index Tornado Index Other Weather Extremes Events Volcanos Nearby Historical Earthquake Events Historical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #50

19717 Zip Code	0.46
Delaware	1.54
U.S.	1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #1

19717 Zip Code	0.0000
Delaware	0.0000
U.S.	0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #40

19717 Zip Code	142.49
Delaware	107.77
U.S.	136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 6,141 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of 19717 Zip Code were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count
Avalanche:	0	Blizzard:	7	Cold:	63	Dense Fog:	59	Drought:	147
Dust Storm:	0	Flood:	890	Hail:	664	Heat:	240	Heavy Snow:	137
High Surf:	26	Hurricane:	0	Ice Storm:	14	Landslide:	0	Strong Wind:	327
Thunderstorm Winds:	2,337	Tropical Storm:	5	Wildfire:	21	Winter Storm:	87	Winter Weather:	173
Other:	944

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near 19717 Zip Code.

Historical Earthquake Events

A total of 4 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near 19717 Zip Code.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Depth (km)	Latitude	Longitude
36.3	1984-04-23	4.4	5	39.92	-76.36
16.8	1973-02-28	3.8	14	39.72	-75.44
47.9	1980-03-11	3.7	5	40.16	-75.1
47.2	1980-03-05	3.5	5	40.19	-75.16

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 51 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near 19717 Zip Code.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Start Lat/Log	End Lat/Log	Length	Width	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage	Crop Damage	Affected County
6.9	1981-05-15	2	39°36'N / 75°50'W		1.50 Miles	27 Yards	0	2	2.5M	0	Cecil
7.3	1979-09-05	2	39°46'N / 75°44'W	39°48'N / 75°48'W	4.10 Miles	63 Yards	1	4	2.5M	0	Chester
8.1	1989-06-09	2	39°47'N / 75°41'W		2.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	2.5M	0	New Castle
8.8	2004-09-28	2	39°41'N / 75°36'W	39°44'N / 75°35'W	5.00 Miles	150 Yards	0	0	1.0M	0	New Castle
		Brief Description: An F2 (on the Fujita scale) tornado touched down in northern New Castle County with maximum winds estimated at 130 mph. The path length was 5.0 miles long with a maximum path width of 150 yards. The tornado touched down near and was observed at the New Castle County Airport. The northern end of the tornado track was in Elsmere. Significant damage did occur along the path of this tornado, particularly to some of the planes at the airport and industrial buildings near the airport. In addition, five persons were injured. The tornado damaged five C-130 cargo planes at the New Castle County Airport, caused thousands of pounds of jet fuel to spill and damaged hangers. It tore through the Newport Industrial Park along Delaware State Route 141. It tossed long strips of metal siding into the air and onto roads. Windows were shattered, walls peeled away and trees and light poles were snapped. The roof and whole side of the United Electric Supply building was torn away. Delaware State Route 141 and some nearby side streets were closed. Gas service was shut off to prevent explosions. On Bellecor Drive, a self-storage facility suffered major damage. One man at the business was injured after he was trapped under a fallen refrigerator. Three people were injured at the airport itself. A man in Elsmere was hit by a fallen tree limb. The tornado also caused damaged to homes in Wilmington Manor and Chelsea Estates near the airport. In Elsmere, the tornado tore shingles and vent covers from the Corpus Christi Elementary School. The ensuing heavy rain damaged the gymnasium. In the Red Clay Consolidated School District, the tornado also caused minor damage to the Richardson Park Elementary School.
9.9	1961-04-28	3	39°40'N / 75°34'W		0.30 Mile	30 Yards	0	0	25K	0	New Castle
11.5	1990-10-18	2	39°47'N / 75°35'W		1.00 Mile	430 Yards	0	0	250K	0	New Castle
11.8	2002-05-02	2	39°39'N / 76°00'W	39°42'N / 75°57'W	4.50 Miles	160 Yards	0	0	330K	0	Cecil
		Brief Description: The first F2 (on the Fujita Scale) tornado in 21 years struck Cecil County during the late afternoon of the 2nd. About 21 homes, silos, sheds and barns sustained moderate to extensive damage. One family was displaced as their house was condemned because of the wind damage. Many large trees and utility poles were splintered, uprooted or snapped. Marble size hail was also reported. No serious injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at $330,000. The path length was 4.5 miles. The maximum path width was 160 yards. The tornado initially touched down just to the west of England Creamery Road about 5 miles southeast of Rising Sun at 538 p.m. EDT. The tornado's intensity was F0 to F1 as it moved across England Creamery and Trinity Church Roads. One house on Trinity Church Road had its windows broken, its porch splintered and its roof damaged. A second house on the road had its porch torn away and shingles ripped from the roof. The homeowner's barn and its content was destroyed. Their lawn chairs and hedge trimmers were found half a mile away. One of the two points that the tornado reached its maximum intensity of F2 occurred when it moved through the Tailwind Estates on Steeplechase Lane. Three homes were heavily damaged. One house (the condemned one) had half its roof torn away and its chimney crash through its deck. The homeowner's SUV vehicle was displaced 25 feet and a shed on the block was tossed over 100 yards. The tornado's intensity again peaked at F2 as it moved through a wooded area north of Old Elm Road and west of Blue Ball Road. Extensive tree damage occurred. The second floor of a new home under construction in the area also collapsed. During the last half mile of its existence, the tornado weakened and did not remain on the ground the entire time. It dissipated around the intersection of Fairview Road and Maryland State Route 273 at 545 p.m. EDT.
15.4	1988-08-17	2	39°43'N / 75°28'W		1.50 Miles	400 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Salem
15.8	1954-07-01	2	39°27'N / 75°44'W		1.00 Mile	50 Yards	0	0	3K	0	New Castle
15.9	1992-07-17	2	39°54'N / 75°47'W	39°55'N / 75°43'W	4.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Chester
16.0	1979-09-05	2	39°47'N / 75°29'W		2.50 Miles	200 Yards	0	5	250K	0	New Castle
18.6	1960-07-14	2	39°43'N / 75°26'W	39°44'N / 75°23'W	2.30 Miles	450 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Salem
21.9	1992-08-28	2	39°57'N / 75°58'W		2.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Chester
22.4	1973-06-29	2	39°56'N / 75°29'W	39°54'N / 75°27'W	1.90 Miles	63 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Delaware
22.4	1959-07-19	2	39°31'N / 76°07'W		0.80 Mile	50 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Harford
24.7	1998-05-31	2	39°54'N / 76°10'W	39°55'N / 76°03'W	7.00 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	0	0	Lancaster
		Brief Description: The tornado struck about 12:30am EDT in the early morning hours of Monday, June 1st. Initial touchdown was just south of Quarryville. The tornado traveled east along a 7 mile path to Ninepoints. Damage was most extensive in the Ninepoints area and was rated an F2 intensity (112 to 157 mph). The width of the F2 damage was probably 100 to 200 yards wide with lesser damage extending out to 1/2 mile. At least 6 homes had significant damage. One home had the roof and second floor removed. Several barns were damaged and at least one destroyed. Trees were blown down on a number of homes. One person reported sighting the tornado. Only one minor injury was reported.
24.7	1980-06-29	2	39°31'N / 76°10'W		2.00 Miles	150 Yards	0	10	250K	0	Harford
25.4	1955-03-22	3	39°58'N / 75°37'W	40°03'N / 75°28'W	9.60 Miles	600 Yards	1	0	250K	0	Chester
26.3	1974-08-17	2	39°57'N / 76°06'W		0.70 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lancaster
26.7	1960-07-14	2	39°44'N / 75°23'W	39°46'N / 75°08'W	13.30 Miles	450 Yards	0	6	0K	0	Gloucester
26.7	1975-04-03	2	40°02'N / 75°40'W	40°05'N / 75°39'W	3.00 Miles	20 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Chester
31.0	1975-07-13	2	39°30'N / 75°13'W		1.50 Miles	77 Yards	0	0	25.0M	0	Cumberland
32.7	2004-09-18	2	39°42'N / 76°22'W	39°44'N / 76°22'W	2.00 Miles	125 Yards	0	0	350K	0	Harford
		Brief Description: A tornado touched down near a residence off Grier Nursery Road. The storm destroyed two mobile homes, the side of a barn was blown out, structural damage to two homes were noted, and numerous large healthy trees were twisted off near the bases.
33.3	1976-03-21	2	39°13'N / 75°56'W		0.20 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Queen Anne's
35.4	1983-07-21	2	39°10'N / 75°43'W		1.00 Mile	20 Yards	2	9	250K	0	Kent
37.6	1958-07-14	2	39°56'N / 75°08'W	39°56'N / 75°07'W			0	0	3K	0	Philadelphia
37.8	1989-06-09	2	39°57'N / 75°09'W	39°57'N / 75°07'W	0.50 Mile	50 Yards	0	1	25K	0	Philadelphia
38.7	1979-09-05	2	39°27'N / 76°25'W		0.50 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Baltimore
39.3	1989-06-09	2	39°57'N / 75°07'W	39°57'N / 75°05'W	1.50 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Camden
39.4	1961-06-08	2	40°12'N / 75°27'W		1.00 Mile	200 Yards	0	1	25K	0	Montgomery
40.1	1961-07-29	2	39°59'N / 76°30'W	40°02'N / 76°15'W	13.40 Miles	500 Yards	0	2	2.5M	0	Lancaster
40.6	1990-05-10	2	39°29'N / 75°02'W		0.50 Mile	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Cumberland
41.8	1971-07-30	2	39°04'N / 76°03'W	39°08'N / 75°55'W	8.30 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Queen Anne's
42.3	1989-06-15	2	40°02'N / 76°26'W	40°00'N / 76°24'W	3.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lancaster
42.3	1950-11-04	3	40°12'N / 76°07'W	40°16'N / 76°04'W	4.70 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Lancaster
42.9	1958-07-14	2	39°56'N / 75°07'W	39°58'N / 74°56'W	9.80 Miles	27 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Philadelphia
44.8	1960-06-24	2	40°12'N / 75°15'W		0.80 Mile	27 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Montgomery
45.0	1953-11-23	2	40°06'N / 76°24'W		0.10 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Lancaster
45.1	1989-06-15	2	40°02'N / 76°30'W	40°02'N / 76°26'W	4.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Lancaster
46.4	1979-09-05	2	40°21'N / 75°48'W		1.00 Mile	30 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Berks
46.6	1967-01-27	2	39°01'N / 75°35'W		0.50 Mile	50 Yards	0	7	250K	0	Kent
47.1	1950-11-04	3	40°16'N / 76°04'W	40°24'N / 75°56'W	11.20 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Berks
47.1	1977-06-09	2	39°02'N / 75°28'W		0.20 Mile	40 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Kent
47.2	1979-10-05	2	40°21'N / 75°55'W		1.00 Mile	40 Yards	0	1	25K	0	Berks
47.3	1956-08-13	2	40°15'N / 75°18'W	40°16'N / 75°15'W	1.30 Miles	333 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Montgomery
47.5	1992-07-31	2	39°01'N / 75°31'W	39°02'N / 75°26'W	4.00 Miles	20 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Kent
48.2	1960-06-24	2	40°24'N / 75°37'W	40°19'N / 75°28'W	9.40 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Berks
48.6	1961-07-29	2	39°58'N / 76°40'W	39°59'N / 76°30'W	8.80 Miles	500 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	York
48.7	1975-10-11	2	40°17'N / 76°29'W	40°10'N / 76°11'W	17.50 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lebanon
49.3	1989-06-15	2	39°58'N / 76°40'W	40°02'N / 76°30'W	9.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	3	250K	0	York
49.7	1998-06-01	2	40°07'N / 75°02'W	40°05'N / 74°57'W	5.60 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	1.8M	0	Philadelphia
		Brief Description: A tornado ripped through Upper and Lower Moreland Townships as well as extreme northeast Philadelphia during the early morning of June 1st. The tornado was rated as an F1 (A weak tornado on the Fujita Scale) in Montgomery County and intensified into an F2 (or strong tornado on the Fujita Scale) within Philadelphia. The worst damage occurred within the unoccupied Byberry Industrial Park as the tornado reached its strongest intensity. Thirty-five commercial buildings were damaged, nine severely. Damage outside of the industrial park was mainly confined to downed trees. About ten homes were damaged by fallen trees. The damage within Philadelphia was discontinuous suggesting the tornado was not on the ground for its entire lifetime across the city. Damage was estimated at $1.8 million dollars. Because the buildings were unoccupied, no injuries occurred. The tornado moved into the city from Lower Moreland Township in the Bustleton/Lumar Park area around 120 a.m. EDT. Trees were split and knocked down. The tornado intensified into a strong one (F2 on the Fujita Scale) as it crossed into the Byberry Industrial Park. The worst damage was done in the area around Byberry Road, McNulty Road, Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road. Five ton air conditioning units were tossed. Of the 35 commercial buildings damaged, nine were severely damaged and declared "imminently dangerous". Slabs of the roof were tossed 200 yards. Some buildings lost entire sides, had buckled steel beams, shattered windows and crushed equipment. The tornado plucked utility poles from the ground. About 20 poles were knocked over. Five teams of tree service personnel were overwhelmed. Damage south of the industrial park became sporadic as the tornado turned toward the southeast. It lifted just before the Bucks County border near Woodhaven Road just to the southeast of the Franklin Mills Mall. Its path length was about 5.6 miles and path width about 200 yards. PECO Energy reported 34,000 customers in Philadelphia lost power. Five thousand still did not have power the evening of the 1st. It was the worst non-winter storm in PECO Energy's 50 year history and the fourth worst overall. According to their lightning detection system, there were 7,000 cloud to ground lightning strikes in their service area as this line of thunderstorms moved through.

* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.