ZIP code 50171, covering Montezuma, IA, has 127 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 42 hailstorms, 40 blizzards, and 20 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $18.3M. These events have resulted in 4 recorded deaths and 2 injuries.
With 42 recorded incidents (33% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Hail-related events have caused a combined $279K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 7, 2023.
There have been 40 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 31% of all disaster events. Of these, 20 (50%) 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 $5.3M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 20 recorded floods in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Of these, 13 (65%) 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 $1.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 5, 2018.
There have been 12 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 29, 2019.
Montezuma has experienced 9 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $580K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 15, 2024.
Montezuma has experienced 3 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 3 (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 $4.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 11, 2012.
The most significant disaster event on record for Montezuma was Heavy Snow on Oct 26, 1997, which caused $3.2M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Oct 10, 2009), causing $2.5M in damages. EF2 Tornado on May 8, 1988 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50171 has experienced 127 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (42 events), blizzards (40 events), floods (20 events), tornadoes (12 events), severe wind events (9 events), extreme cold events (3 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 33% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Montezuma, IA, with 42 events documented. These events have caused a combined $279K in property damage.
Yes, Montezuma (ZIP 50171) has 20 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 5, 2018.
Montezuma has 12 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 $5.9M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 29, 2019.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50171 was Heavy Snow, which occurred on Oct 26, 1997. This event caused $3.2M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $18.3M in property damage in the Montezuma, IA area (ZIP 50171). 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 →