Government records show 220 natural disaster events affecting the Altoona, IA area (ZIP 50009) — a notably active disaster history. These include 82 hailstorms, 70 floods, and 42 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $93.3M. These events have resulted in 5 recorded deaths and 4 injuries.
With 82 recorded incidents (37% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $610K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 19, 2025.
Floods account for 32% of the disaster record here, with 70 events documented. Of these, 47 (67%) 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 $15.4M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 19, 2022.
There have been 42 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 19% of all disaster events. Of these, 26 (62%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $10.4M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 11 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $9.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
Altoona has experienced 8 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $53M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Mar 5, 2022.
Altoona has experienced 4 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 3 (75%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Cold-related events have caused a combined $4.3M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 11, 2012.
The most significant disaster event on record for Altoona was EF2 Tornado on Mar 5, 2022, which caused $50M in property damage. Another major event was Heavy Snow (Oct 26, 1997), causing $6.2M in damages. Flood on Jun 18, 1998 also caused significant damage ($6.1M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50009 has experienced 220 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (82 events), floods (70 events), blizzards (42 events), severe wind events (11 events), tornadoes (8 events), extreme cold events (4 events), and extreme heat events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 37% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Altoona, IA, with 82 events documented. These events have caused a combined $610K in property damage.
Yes, Altoona (ZIP 50009) has 70 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $15.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 19, 2022.
Altoona has 8 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 $53M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Mar 5, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50009 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Mar 5, 2022. This event caused $50M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $93.3M in property damage in the Altoona, IA area (ZIP 50009). 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 →