15 Hail Damage Statistics in Iowa

Seven - April 2023 Weather Events

In the eventful month of April 2023, two distinct severe weather wreaked havoc across various central and southern states.

From April 4 to 6, violent storms unleashed large hail, fierce winds, and over 35 tornadoes, inflicting widespread destruction in states like Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan.

The aftermath of this calamity resulted in damages amounting to approximately $2.9 billion across these severely affected regions, tragically leading to 5 casualties.

Later that month, on April 19-20, 2023, a second wave of severe weather struck, characterized by hailstorms, scattered tornadoes, and powerful winds that battered central states.

Central Oklahoma bore the brunt of a tornado cluster, while Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin experienced significant damage from hail and high winds.

The cumulative cost of damages in the impacted states surged to $3 billion, resulting in one casualty.

The compounded impact of these dual weather events culminated in a staggering total of $5.9 billion in damages and claimed the lives of 6 individuals, making April 2023 a month marked by destruction, loss, and costly recovery efforts for the affected communities.

Eight - The June 2022 Multi-State Storm

Between June 7 and 8, 2022, a ferocious storm system swept through multiple states, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Hail, high winds, and the wrath of over two dozen tornadoes lashed across regions in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio.

The impact was particularly severe in Nebraska, where hail and high winds hit on homes, businesses, vehicles, farms, agricultural lands, and vital infrastructure, resulting in significant damage.

The cumulative toll of the disaster amounted to a staggering $2 billion and thankfully, no casualties.

Nine - The June 2021 Hailstorm and High Winds Across Multiple States

During June 17-18, 2021, a devastating hailstorm coupled with high winds unleashed havoc across several states, encompassing Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.

The brunt of the hail impacts was felt most acutely in southeastern Minnesota, southern Iowa, southeastern Indiana, and southwestern Ohio, leading to widespread damage to numerous homes, vehicles, and businesses.

The aftermath of this weather event revealed a grim picture, with a total reported damage cost of $1.9 billion across the affected states.

Ten - April 2020's Hailstorm and Tornado Rampage

On April 7-8, 2020, a series of relentless hailstorms swept through multiple North Central and Ohio Valley states, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The impact was further compounded by over 20 tornadoes across southern Indiana and Ohio, adding to the widespread devastation.

Additional high wind damage ravaged homes, vehicles, and businesses in surrounding states, amplifying the already dire situation.

The collective toll of these disastrous weather events amounted to a staggering $3.5 billion in reported losses across all states affected.

Eleven - May 2019 Tornado Outbreak

Between May 26 and 29, 2019, a relentless four-day tornado outbreak swept through states across the Rockies, Central region, and Northeast, impacting Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

This weather event unleashed a staggering 190 tornadoes, accompanied by numerous reports of damaging hail and straight-line thunderstorm winds, intensifying the chaos and destruction.

One notable event within this outbreak was the emergence of an EF-4 tornado near Dayton, Ohio, on May 27, inflicting heavy damage in its wake.

The repercussions of this tornado outbreak were profound, culminating in an estimated cost of $5.6 billion in damages.

Twelve - June 2017 Hailstorm and Tornado Events

From June 27 to 29, 2017, a ruthless onslaught of severe weather, characterized by damaging hail and high winds, wreaked havoc across Nebraska, Illinois, and Iowa.

The region bore the brunt of this tempestuous weather event, enduring the wrath of more than one dozen tornadoes that touched down in various parts of Iowa, alongside additional storm-related damage.

The cumulative impact of this catastrophic weather event resulted in a total estimated damage cost of $1.7 billion across the affected states.

Thirteen - The 1959 Scott County Iowa 7-Inch Hailstone Record

On the fateful evening of September 27, 1959, a historic storm swept through Scott County, Iowa, unleashing a barrage of monstrous 7-inch hailstones.

This cataclysmic event marked the largest reported hail occurrence ever to strike Scott County, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The epicenter of the devastation was in Davenport, Iowa, where the excessively large hail wreaked havoc, causing substantial damage to local greenhouses.

The impact of the colossal hailstones was profound, with damage estimates surpassing $5,000, primarily attributed to the destruction of greenhouses in Davenport.

Among the hardest-hit locations was the Louis Hendershot Florist, where the relentless hail shattered approximately 3,000 windows, leaving a scene of desolation in its wake.

Despite the widespread destruction, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities attributed to the hailstorm.

Concurrently, on that tumultuous day, a fierce F2 tornado touched down south of Davenport in McDonough County, Illinois, resulting in one injury.

Check pictures of roof hail damage here.

Fourteen - Iowa Ranks 7th in State Farm Insurance's Hail Claims in 2022

According to State Farm Insurance data, Iowa secured the 7th position in the list of Top 10 States for Hail Claims in the year 2022.

The insurance giant reported paying out over $131 million in claims within the state of Iowa alone, emphasizing the significant impact of hail-related damages on Iowa residents and properties during that year.

The substantial financial outlay reflects the extensive nature of property damage and the consequential economic burden faced by individuals and businesses due to hailstorms in the state.

Fifteen - Iowa Hail Trends

In Iowa, hail frequency peaks during the months of April, May, and June, gradually tapering off as the summer progresses into fall.

Among these months, June emerges as the historical epicenter of hail activity in the state, boasting the highest number of reports.

Throughout the years, June has stood out as the most active month for hail in Iowa, with a notable total of 872 reports, signifying a period characterized by heightened hailstorm occurrences and associated damages.

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