Federal records document 52 natural disaster events in the Brighton, IA area (ZIP 52540). These include 32 hailstorms, 7 tornadoes, and 6 blizzards. Total documented property damage amounts to $28M. A total of 1 injury has been reported across all events.
With 32 recorded incidents (62% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Hail-related events have caused a combined $284K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 7, 2023.
Brighton 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 $25.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 17, 2017.
Brighton has experienced 6 blizzards 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 $400K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Feb 24, 2007.
Brighton has experienced 4 floods on record. Of these, 3 (75%) 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 $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 13, 2010.
Brighton has experienced 2 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $80K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 8, 2008.
Brighton has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Cold-related events have caused a combined $412.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on May 3, 2005.
The most significant disaster event on record for Brighton was EF2 Tornado on May 8, 1988, which caused $25M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (May 3, 2012), causing $500K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 52540 has experienced 52 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (32 events), tornadoes (7 events), blizzards (6 events), floods (4 events), severe wind events (2 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 62% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Brighton, IA, with 32 events documented. These events have caused a combined $284K in property damage.
Yes, Brighton (ZIP 52540) has 4 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 13, 2010.
Brighton 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 $25.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 17, 2017.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 52540 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on May 8, 1988. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $28M in property damage in the Brighton, IA area (ZIP 52540). 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 →