Rock Rapids, IA (ZIP 51246) has experienced 163 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 108 hailstorms, 19 tornadoes, and 17 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $44.8M. These events have resulted in 1 recorded death and 5 injuries.
With 108 recorded incidents (66% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. 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 $500K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jun 2, 2025.
There have been 19 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 12% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $11.1M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 28, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $118K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 28, 2025.
There have been 11 recorded floods in this area, representing 7% of all disaster events. Of these, 10 (91%) 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 $27.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jun 21, 2024.
Rock Rapids 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.
The most significant disaster event on record for Rock Rapids was Flood on Jun 1, 2019, which caused $18.5M in property damage. Another major event was Winter Storm (Apr 9, 2013), causing $5M in damages. Flood on Jun 21, 2024 also caused significant damage ($3.6M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 51246 has experienced 163 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (108 events), tornadoes (19 events), severe wind events (17 events), floods (11 events), and blizzards (8 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 66% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Rock Rapids, IA, with 108 events documented. These events have caused a combined $500K in property damage.
Yes, Rock Rapids (ZIP 51246) has 11 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $27.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jun 21, 2024.
Rock Rapids has 19 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 $11.1M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 28, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 51246 was Flood, which occurred on Jun 1, 2019. This event caused $18.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $44.8M in property damage in the Rock Rapids, IA area (ZIP 51246). 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 →