Federal records document 58 natural disaster events in the Minden, IA area (ZIP 51553). These include 38 hailstorms, 13 tornadoes, and 4 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $13M. These events have resulted in 1 recorded death and 9 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Minden is hailstorms, with 38 recorded events making up 66% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 17, 2025.
There have been 13 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 22% of all disaster events. Of these, 3 (23%) 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. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 6, 2024.
Minden has experienced 4 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Dec 15, 2021.
Minden has experienced 2 floods 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 flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $2.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on May 21, 2024.
Minden has experienced 1 blizzard on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $3.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Oct 25, 1997.
The most significant disaster event on record for Minden was Heavy Snow on Oct 25, 1997, which caused $3.2M in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (May 26, 1987), causing $2.5M in damages. EF1 Tornado on May 26, 1987 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 51553 has experienced 58 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (38 events), tornadoes (13 events), severe wind events (4 events), floods (2 events), and blizzard (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 66% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Minden, IA, with 38 events documented.
Yes, Minden (ZIP 51553) has 2 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $2.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on May 21, 2024.
Minden has 13 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 May 6, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 51553 was Heavy Snow, which occurred on Oct 25, 1997. This event caused $3.2M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $13M in property damage in the Minden, IA area (ZIP 51553). 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 →