West Des Moines, IA (ZIP 50265) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 523 natural disaster events on record. These include 264 hailstorms, 180 floods, and 38 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $135.8M. A total of 41 injuries have been reported across all events.
The dominant hazard type for West Des Moines is hailstorms, with 264 recorded events making up 50% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 4 (2%) 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 $13.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 19, 2025.
Floods account for 34% of the disaster record here, with 180 events documented. Of these, 120 (67%) 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 $48.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 20, 2025.
There have been 38 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. Of these, 22 (58%) 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 $7.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 21 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 4% 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 $54M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
There have been 16 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 3% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 15, 2024.
West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines was 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jun 29, 1998, which caused $40M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jun 12, 2010), causing $20M in damages. 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jun 29, 1998 also caused significant damage ($10M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50265 has experienced 523 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (264 events), floods (180 events), blizzards (38 events), severe wind events (21 events), tornadoes (16 events), extreme cold events (3 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 50% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in West Des Moines, IA, with 264 events documented. These events have caused a combined $13.2M in property damage.
Yes, West Des Moines (ZIP 50265) has 180 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $48.5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 20, 2025.
West Des Moines has 16 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 $8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 15, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50265 was 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jun 29, 1998. This event caused $40M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $135.8M in property damage in the West Des Moines, IA area (ZIP 50265). 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 →