Chelsea, IA (ZIP 52215) has experienced 134 recorded natural disaster events based on federal and state agency records. These include 45 blizzards, 35 hailstorms, and 30 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $19.8M.
With 45 recorded incidents (34% of all events), blizzards are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 21 (47%) 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 $5.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 1, 2015.
There have been 35 recorded hailstorms in this area, representing 26% of all disaster events. Hail-related events have caused a combined $637K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 28, 2023.
There have been 30 recorded floods in this area, representing 22% of all disaster events. Of these, 23 (77%) 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 $6.1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 5, 2018.
There have been 11 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 8% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wind-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Wind-related events have caused a combined $2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 10, 2020.
Chelsea has experienced 7 tornadoes on record. 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 $827.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 29, 1983.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea was Heavy Snow on Oct 26, 1997, which caused $3.2M in property damage. Another major event was Frost/Freeze (Oct 10, 2009), causing $2.5M in damages. Frost/Freeze on Apr 11, 2012 also caused significant damage ($1.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 52215 has experienced 134 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include blizzards (45 events), hailstorms (35 events), floods (30 events), severe wind events (11 events), tornadoes (7 events), extreme cold events (3 events), wildfires (2 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is blizzards, which account for 34% of all recorded events.
Blizzards are the most frequently recorded hazard in Chelsea, IA, with 45 events documented. These events have caused a combined $5.9M in property damage.
Yes, Chelsea (ZIP 52215) has 30 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $6.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 5, 2018.
Chelsea has 7 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 $827.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 29, 1983.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 52215 was Heavy Snow, which occurred on Oct 26, 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 $19.8M in property damage in the Chelsea, IA area (ZIP 52215). 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 →