Russell, IA (ZIP 50238) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 226 natural disaster events on record. These include 125 floods, 44 hailstorms, and 39 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $91.2M. A total of 54 injuries have been reported across all events.
With 125 recorded incidents (55% of all events), floods are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 86 (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 $30.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 29, 2019.
There have been 44 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 19% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $387K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 25, 2024.
There have been 39 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 17% of all disaster events. Of these, 21 (54%) 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 $4.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 14 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 6% of all disaster events. Of these, 4 (29%) 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 $51.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 30, 2024.
Russell 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.
Russell has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. Heat-related events have caused a combined $135K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 15, 2011.
The most significant disaster event on record for Russell was EF4 Tornado on Jun 7, 1984, which caused $25M in property damage. Another major event was EF4 Tornado (Jun 7, 1984), causing $25M in damages. Flood on Jun 12, 2010 also caused significant damage ($20M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50238 has experienced 226 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include floods (125 events), hailstorms (44 events), blizzards (39 events), tornadoes (14 events), extreme cold events (3 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is floods, which account for 55% of all recorded events.
Floods are the most frequently recorded hazard in Russell, IA, with 125 events documented. These events have caused a combined $30.3M in property damage.
Yes, Russell (ZIP 50238) has 125 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $30.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 29, 2019.
Russell has 14 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 $51.5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 30, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50238 was EF4 Tornado, which occurred on Jun 7, 1984. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $91.2M in property damage in the Russell, IA area (ZIP 50238). 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 →