Federal records document 147 natural disaster events in the Bristow, IA area (ZIP 50611). These include 47 blizzards, 46 floods, and 38 hailstorms. Total documented property damage amounts to $67M. These events have resulted in 14 recorded deaths and 457 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Bristow is blizzards, with 47 recorded events making up 32% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 19 (40%) 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 $1.3M 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 46 recorded floods in this area, representing 31% of all disaster events. Of these, 36 (78%) 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 $27.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 20, 2018.
There have been 38 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 26% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $482K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 15, 2025.
Bristow has experienced 8 tornadoes on record. Of these, 2 (25%) 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 $30.3M in documented property damage. 13 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 15, 2021.
Bristow has experienced 4 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 4 (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 $7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 11, 2012.
Bristow has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $80K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 16, 2014.
The most significant disaster event on record for Bristow was EF5 Tornado on May 15, 1968, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 13 fatalities. Another major event was Flood (Jun 12, 2010), causing $20M in damages. Frost/Freeze on Sep 15, 2011 also caused significant damage ($2.7M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50611 has experienced 147 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include blizzards (47 events), floods (46 events), hailstorms (38 events), tornadoes (8 events), extreme cold events (4 events), severe wind events (3 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is blizzards, which account for 32% of all recorded events.
Blizzards are the most frequently recorded hazard in Bristow, IA, with 47 events documented. These events have caused a combined $1.3M in property damage.
Yes, Bristow (ZIP 50611) has 46 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $27.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 20, 2018.
Bristow has 8 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 $30.3M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 15, 2021.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50611 was EF5 Tornado, which occurred on May 15, 1968. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 13 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $67M in property damage in the Bristow, IA area (ZIP 50611). 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 →