Polk City, IA (ZIP 50226) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 287 natural disaster events on record. These include 136 hailstorms, 69 floods, and 42 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $121.9M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 151 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Polk City is hailstorms, with 136 recorded events making up 47% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 2 (1%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $1.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 30, 2024.
Floods account for 24% of the disaster record here, with 69 events documented. Of these, 55 (80%) 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 $42.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 22, 2019.
There have been 42 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 15% 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 20 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (10%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wind-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Wind-related events have caused a combined $19.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
There have been 13 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. Of these, 3 (23%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $43.6M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 23, 2022.
Polk City 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 Polk City was EF4 Tornado on Jun 18, 1974, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 2 fatalities. Another major event was Flood (Jun 12, 2010), causing $20M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jun 29, 1998 also caused significant damage ($10.1M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50226 has experienced 287 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (136 events), floods (69 events), blizzards (42 events), severe wind events (20 events), tornadoes (13 events), extreme cold events (4 events), and extreme heat events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 47% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Polk City, IA, with 136 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1.6M in property damage.
Yes, Polk City (ZIP 50226) has 69 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $42.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 22, 2019.
Polk City has 13 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $43.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 23, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50226 was EF4 Tornado, which occurred on Jun 18, 1974. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 2 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $121.9M in property damage in the Polk City, IA area (ZIP 50226). 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 →