Des Moines, IA (ZIP 50313) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 538 natural disaster events on record. These include 267 hailstorms, 178 floods, and 42 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $172.8M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 108 injuries.
With 267 recorded incidents (50% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 4 (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 $13.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Mar 14, 2025.
Floods account for 33% of the disaster record here, with 178 events documented. Of these, 123 (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 $43.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 19, 2022.
There have been 42 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 8% 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 27 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (7%) 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 17 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 3% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (12%) 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 $40.7M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. 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 EF4 Tornado (Jun 18, 1974), causing $25M in damages. 120 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jun 29, 1998 also caused significant damage ($10M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50313 has experienced 538 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (267 events), floods (178 events), blizzards (42 events), severe wind events (27 events), tornadoes (17 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 267 events documented. These events have caused a combined $13.1M in property damage.
Yes, Des Moines (ZIP 50313) has 178 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $43.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 19, 2022.
Des Moines has 17 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 $40.7M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 15, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50313 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 $172.8M in property damage in the Des Moines, IA area (ZIP 50313). 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 →