Scranton, IA (ZIP 51462) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 204 natural disaster events on record. These include 70 hailstorms, 58 floods, and 41 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $40.6M. A total of 1 injury has been reported across all events.
With 70 recorded incidents (34% 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 $550K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 7, 2023.
Floods account for 28% of the disaster record here, with 58 events documented. Of these, 40 (69%) 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 $4.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on May 24, 2019.
There have been 41 recorded blizzards in this area, representing 20% of all disaster events. Of these, 20 (49%) 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 $2.5M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 17 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 8% of all disaster events. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 15, 2021.
There have been 12 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 6% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $20.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 31, 2014.
Scranton has experienced 3 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 3 (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 $4.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Apr 11, 2012.
The most significant disaster event on record for Scranton was 96 mph Thunderstorm Wind on Jul 10, 2002, which caused $20.1M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Oct 10, 2009), causing $2.5M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Nov 12, 2005 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 51462 has experienced 204 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (70 events), floods (58 events), blizzards (41 events), tornadoes (17 events), severe wind events (12 events), extreme cold events (3 events), wildfires (2 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 34% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Scranton, IA, with 70 events documented. These events have caused a combined $550K in property damage.
Yes, Scranton (ZIP 51462) has 58 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $4.6M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on May 24, 2019.
Scranton has 17 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 $8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 15, 2021.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 51462 was 96 mph Thunderstorm Wind, which occurred on Jul 10, 2002. This event caused $20.1M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $40.6M in property damage in the Scranton, IA area (ZIP 51462). 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 →