ZIP code 51242, covering Lester, IA, has 58 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 33 hailstorms, 9 tornadoes, and 8 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $11.7M. A total of 1 injury has been reported across all events.
The dominant hazard type for Lester is hailstorms, with 33 recorded events making up 57% 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 $488K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 28, 2021.
Lester has experienced 9 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 28, 2025.
Lester has experienced 8 blizzards on record. Of these, 5 (63%) 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 $5.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 28, 2023.
Lester has experienced 7 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 28, 2025.
Lester has experienced 1 flood on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Flood-related events have caused a combined $25K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 12, 2019.
The most significant disaster event on record for Lester was Winter Storm on Apr 9, 2013, which caused $5M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Apr 26, 1986), causing $2.5M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jul 6, 1978 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 51242 has experienced 58 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (33 events), tornadoes (9 events), blizzards (8 events), severe wind events (7 events), and flood (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 57% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Lester, IA, with 33 events documented. These events have caused a combined $488K in property damage.
Yes, Lester (ZIP 51242) has 1 recorded flood event. These floods have caused $25K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 12, 2019.
Lester has 9 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 $5.7M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 28, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 51242 was Winter Storm, which occurred on Apr 9, 2013. This event caused $5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $11.7M in property damage in the Lester, IA area (ZIP 51242). 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 →