Decorah, IA (ZIP 52101) has experienced 162 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 97 hailstorms, 38 floods, and 14 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $49M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 24 injuries.
With 97 recorded incidents (60% 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 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $8.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 16, 2025.
There have been 38 recorded floods in this area, representing 23% of all disaster events. Of these, 28 (74%) 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 $31.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 18, 2025.
There have been 14 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $8.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Aug 5, 2024.
Decorah has experienced 7 blizzards on record. Of these, 3 (43%) 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 $102.5K in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 3, 2018.
Decorah has experienced 5 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $98K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Dec 15, 2021.
Decorah has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. Heat-related events have caused a combined $35K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 17, 2011.
The most significant disaster event on record for Decorah was Flood on Jun 8, 2008, which caused $5.2M in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Jun 7, 2008), causing $4M in damages. Flash Flood on Jun 7, 2008 also caused significant damage ($3.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 52101 has experienced 162 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (97 events), floods (38 events), tornadoes (14 events), blizzards (7 events), severe wind events (5 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 60% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Decorah, IA, with 97 events documented. These events have caused a combined $8.8M in property damage.
Yes, Decorah (ZIP 52101) has 38 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $31.2M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 18, 2025.
Decorah has 14 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $8.7M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Aug 5, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 52101 was Flood, which occurred on Jun 8, 2008. This event caused $5.2M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $49M in property damage in the Decorah, IA area (ZIP 52101). 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 →