Des Moines, IA (ZIP 50310) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 493 natural disaster events on record. These include 246 hailstorms, 164 floods, and 42 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $140.5M. These events have resulted in 4 recorded deaths and 43 injuries.
With 246 recorded incidents (50% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. 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 $13.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 19, 2025.
Floods account for 33% of the disaster record here, with 164 events documented. Of these, 112 (68%) 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 Jul 20, 2025.
There have been 42 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 9% 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 22 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 4% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (9%) 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 $60.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
There have been 12 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 2% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $9.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 15, 2024.
Des Moines 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 Des Moines was 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jun 29, 1998, which caused $40M in property damage. Another major event was 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jun 29, 1998), causing $10M in damages. 2" Hail on Jun 12, 2001 also caused significant damage ($9.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50310 has experienced 493 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (246 events), floods (164 events), blizzards (42 events), severe wind events (22 events), tornadoes (12 events), extreme cold events (4 events), and extreme heat events (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 50% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Des Moines, IA, with 246 events documented. These events have caused a combined $13.4M in property damage.
Yes, Des Moines (ZIP 50310) has 164 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $42.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 20, 2025.
Des Moines 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 $9.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 15, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50310 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 $140.5M in property damage in the Des Moines, IA area (ZIP 50310). 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 →