With 202 documented natural disaster events, ZIP code 52240 in Iowa City, IA has a substantial history of natural hazard activity. These include 114 hailstorms, 29 tornadoes, and 26 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $72.3M. These events have resulted in 5 recorded deaths and 74 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Iowa City is hailstorms, with 114 recorded events making up 56% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $40.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jul 10, 2025.
There have been 29 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 14% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (7%) 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 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $22.8M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 24, 2024.
There have been 26 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 13% 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 4/5 (severe). Wind-related events have caused a combined $215K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jul 2, 2024.
There have been 20 recorded floods in this area, representing 10% of all disaster events. Of these, 19 (95%) 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 $7.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 27, 2016.
Iowa City has experienced 9 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (22%) 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 $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 3, 2008.
Iowa City has experienced 4 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 2 (50%) 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 $247.5K in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 10, 2023.
The most significant disaster event on record for Iowa City was 2.8" Hail on May 18, 1997, which caused $40M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Apr 13, 2006), causing $12M in damages. EF3 Tornado on May 15, 1998 also caused significant damage ($6M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 52240 has experienced 202 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (114 events), tornadoes (29 events), severe wind events (26 events), floods (20 events), blizzards (9 events), and extreme cold events (4 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 56% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Iowa City, IA, with 114 events documented. These events have caused a combined $40.6M in property damage.
Yes, Iowa City (ZIP 52240) has 20 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $7.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 27, 2016.
Iowa City has 29 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 $22.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 24, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 52240 was 2.8" Hail, which occurred on May 18, 1997. This event caused $40M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $72.3M in property damage in the Iowa City, IA area (ZIP 52240). 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 →