Cherokee, IA (ZIP 51012) has experienced 113 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 75 hailstorms, 13 severe wind events, and 12 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $7.1M. Across all recorded events, 1 death has been attributed to natural disasters in this area.
The dominant hazard type for Cherokee is hailstorms, with 75 recorded events making up 66% of the area's disaster history. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $570K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 9, 2025.
There have been 13 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 12% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $525K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 28, 2025.
There have been 12 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 11% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $4.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 15, 2021.
Cherokee has experienced 10 floods on record. Of these, 10 (100%) 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 $1.7M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 16, 2014.
Cherokee has experienced 3 blizzards on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 4/5 (severe). Winter storm events have caused a combined $42.7K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Nov 10, 1998.
The most significant disaster event on record for Cherokee was EF2 Tornado on Jun 7, 1984, which caused $2.5M in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Dec 15, 2021), causing $1M in damages. Flood on Jun 19, 1996 also caused significant damage ($700K).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 51012 has experienced 113 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (75 events), severe wind events (13 events), tornadoes (12 events), floods (10 events), and blizzards (3 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 66% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Cherokee, IA, with 75 events documented. These events have caused a combined $570K in property damage.
Yes, Cherokee (ZIP 51012) has 10 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 16, 2014.
Cherokee 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 $4.3M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 15, 2021.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 51012 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on Jun 7, 1984. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $7.1M in property damage in the Cherokee, IA area (ZIP 51012). 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 →