Government records show 211 natural disaster events affecting the Waterloo, NE area (ZIP 68069) — a notably active disaster history. These include 159 hailstorms, 20 severe wind events, and 9 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $114.6M. These events have resulted in 14 recorded deaths and 146 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Waterloo is hailstorms, with 159 recorded events making up 75% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 4 (3%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $452K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Apr 21, 2025.
There have been 20 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $38.8M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 9, 2025.
Waterloo has experienced 9 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 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Apr 26, 2024.
Waterloo has experienced 7 extreme cold events on record. Of these, 2 (29%) 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 $750K 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 Feb 19, 2025.
Waterloo has experienced 6 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 5 (83%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Heat-related events have caused a combined $3M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 15, 2024.
Waterloo has experienced 5 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (40%) 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 $14.1M in documented property damage. 5 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Mar 10, 2013.
The most significant disaster event on record for Waterloo was Flood on Mar 13, 2019, which caused $52.3M in property damage. Another major event was 100 mph Thunderstorm Wind (Jul 31, 2024), causing $35M in damages. Heavy Snow on Oct 25, 1997 also caused significant damage ($14.1M).
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 68069 has experienced 211 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (159 events), severe wind events (20 events), tornadoes (9 events), extreme cold events (7 events), extreme heat events (6 events), blizzards (5 events), and floods (5 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 75% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Waterloo, NE, with 159 events documented. These events have caused a combined $452K in property damage.
Yes, Waterloo (ZIP 68069) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $52.5M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on May 20, 2024.
Waterloo has 9 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 $5M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Apr 26, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 68069 was Flood, which occurred on Mar 13, 2019. This event caused $52.3M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $114.6M in property damage in the Waterloo, NE area (ZIP 68069). 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 →