Elma, IA (ZIP 50628) has experienced 59 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 27 hailstorms, 16 tornadoes, and 10 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $12.8M. A total of 23 injuries have been reported across all events.
With 27 recorded incidents (46% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Hail-related events have caused a combined $526K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 19, 2025.
There have been 16 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 27% of all disaster events. Of these, 5 (31%) 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 $7.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 12, 2022.
Elma has experienced 10 floods on record. Of these, 4 (40%) 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 $4.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 28, 2021.
Elma has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $285K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Nov 10, 1998.
Elma has experienced 2 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (100%) 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 $140K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 23, 2007.
Elma has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. Heat-related events have caused a combined $15K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 17, 2011.
The most significant disaster event on record for Elma was Flood on Aug 28, 2021, which caused $3M in property damage. Another major event was EF4 Tornado (Jul 12, 1971), causing $2.5M in damages. EF4 Tornado on Jul 12, 1971 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 50628 has experienced 59 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (27 events), tornadoes (16 events), floods (10 events), severe wind events (3 events), blizzards (2 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 46% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Elma, IA, with 27 events documented. These events have caused a combined $526K in property damage.
Yes, Elma (ZIP 50628) has 10 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $4.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 28, 2021.
Elma has 16 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 $7.7M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 12, 2022.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 50628 was Flood, which occurred on Aug 28, 2021. This event caused $3M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $12.8M in property damage in the Elma, IA area (ZIP 50628). 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 →