Federal records document 140 natural disaster events in the Dows, IA area (ZIP 50071). These include 50 blizzards, 34 hailstorms, and 32 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $33.8M.
With 50 recorded incidents (36% of all events), blizzards are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 22 (44%) 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 $2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 34 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 24% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $231K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 19, 2025.
There have been 32 recorded floods in this area, representing 23% of all disaster events. Of these, 22 (69%) 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 $23.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Mar 17, 2019.
There have been 14 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $978.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 7, 2024.
Dows has experienced 5 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $310K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 22, 2015.
Dows has experienced 4 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 4 (100%) 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 $7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 11, 2012.
The most significant disaster event on record for Dows was Flood on Jun 12, 2010, which caused $20M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Sep 15, 2011), causing $2.7M in damages. Frost/Freeze on Oct 10, 2009 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50071 has experienced 140 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include blizzards (50 events), hailstorms (34 events), floods (32 events), tornadoes (14 events), severe wind events (5 events), extreme cold events (4 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is blizzards, which account for 36% of all recorded events.
Blizzards are the most frequently recorded hazard in Dows, IA, with 50 events documented. These events have caused a combined $2M in property damage.
Yes, Dows (ZIP 50071) has 32 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $23.2M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Mar 17, 2019.
Dows has 14 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 $978.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 7, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50071 was Flood, which occurred on Jun 12, 2010. This event caused $20M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $33.8M in property damage in the Dows, IA area (ZIP 50071). 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 →