Government records show 201 natural disaster events affecting the Prairie City, IA area (ZIP 50228) — a notably active disaster history. These include 82 hailstorms, 52 floods, and 40 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $88.7M. A total of 2 injuries have been reported across all events.
With 82 recorded incidents (41% 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 $940K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 17, 2025.
Floods account for 26% of the disaster record here, with 52 events documented. Of these, 39 (75%) 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 $24.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 20, 2025.
There have been 40 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 20% of all disaster events. Of these, 21 (53%) 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 $5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 14 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $52.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 26, 2024.
Prairie City has experienced 8 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
Prairie City 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 Prairie City was EF2 Tornado on Mar 5, 2022, which caused $50M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jun 12, 2010), causing $20M in damages. Heavy Snow on Oct 26, 1997 also caused significant damage ($3.2M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50228 has experienced 201 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (82 events), floods (52 events), blizzards (40 events), tornadoes (14 events), severe wind events (8 events), extreme cold events (3 events), extreme heat event (1 event), and wildfire (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 41% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Prairie City, IA, with 82 events documented. These events have caused a combined $940K in property damage.
Yes, Prairie City (ZIP 50228) has 52 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $24.5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 20, 2025.
Prairie City has 14 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $52.2M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 26, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50228 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 $88.7M in property damage in the Prairie City, IA area (ZIP 50228). 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 →