239
Recorded events
0
Direct deaths
3
Direct injuries
$2.8M
Property damage
Thunderstorm Wind in Lee County, Iowa: 239 recorded events between 1958 and 2026. The strongest on record measured 87. That places the county #746 nationally and #16 statewide for this hazard.
Decade by decade
Thunderstorm Wind in Lee County, Iowa: events per decade
Reporting practice changed over time — early decades are undercounted, not calmer.
The busiest decade for thunderstorm wind in Lee County is the 2010s, when 75 of the county's 239 recorded events were logged. Comparing decades is useful for spotting active periods, but the earliest years are thin because systematic reporting for this hazard began later.
Within the Lee County archive, thunderstorm wind makes up 45.1% of all recorded severe weather across 8 hazard types. Nationally the county sits at #746 for this hazard and #16 within Iowa, putting it in the 76.2 percentile of all U.S. counties.
Seasonality
Events by month
Jun is the peak month for thunderstorm wind in Lee County with 88 recorded events, while Jan is the quietest. Seasonality here is a property of the archive as much as the climate: reports cluster where population and spotter networks are densest.
Significant events
Deadliest on record
| Date | Location | Scale | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2005 | FT MADISON | 52 | 0 | 1 | $3K |
| Jun 14, 2001 | DONNELLSON | 52 | 0 | 1 | $0 |
| Feb 11, 1999 | MONTROSE | 52 | 0 | 1 | $0 |
Most recent
Latest recorded events
| Date | Location | Magnitude | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2026 | SAWYER | 61 | $0 |
| Apr 17, 2026 | SAWYER | 56 | $0 |
| Mar 10, 2026 | DONNELLSON | 74 | $0 |
| Mar 10, 2026 | DONNELLSON | 78 | $0 |
| Jul 11, 2025 | DONNELLSON | 61 | $0 |
| Jun 3, 2025 | FT MADISON | 70 | $0 |
| Jun 3, 2025 | FT MADISON | 70 | $0 |
| Mar 15, 2025 | MONTROSE | 55 | $0 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | KEOKUK ARPT | 55 | $0 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | MOOAR | 52 | $0 |
Other hazards here
More from Lee County
From the record
What the reports say
Written by National Weather Service staff at the time of the event · public domain
Wind gusts estimated to be 75 mph caused two weakened buildings to collapse in Keokuk, IA around 115 am CDT June 27. The Pallet Building on Johnson Street and the Redemption Center Building on S 4th Street and Johnson Street collapsed. In addition, several trees were uprooted or snapped near the base and several other large tree limbs were also blown down. A spotter also contributed to this report.
A renegade area of thunderstorms moved across southeast and east-central Iowa. One storm passed over the Montrose area, hail of about an inch diameter fell. Hail of three-quarters of an inch in diameter was also reported in West Point. Hail also pelted Earlville and New Vienna. Reports of several cars being damaged by hail were received from Earlville. High winds caused a building to collapse in Fort Madison.
City residents and businesses were left without electricity after strong thunderstorms raced across Lee county. Numerous trees and power lines downed by the storm blocked streets and caused damage in Fort Madison. Several vehicles were smashed by fallen trees and branches, and 911 dispatchers had difficulty routing calls due to power problems. Heavy rains associated with the thunderstorms also resulted in minor street flooding between 21st Street and 26th Street in Fort Madison. A major historical landmark was destroyed when winds blew off the roof then caused walls to collapse at the old Fort Madison depot. This building had been recognized as the oldest surviving railway station in the State of Iowa. High winds toppled two fifteen foot steeples at the historic St Mary's Church. Major damage was sustained to the copper roof and gutters, and water leaking through the damaged roof caused additional damage to restrooms inside the church.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
How many thunderstorm wind events are on record in Lee County, Iowa?
239 thunderstorm wind events are recorded in Lee County between 1958 and 2026, causing 0 direct deaths.
What is the strongest thunderstorm wind recorded in Lee County?
The strongest thunderstorm wind on record in Lee County measured 87.
Where does the thunderstorm wind data for Lee County come from?
All events come from the NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, the federal public-domain archive of severe weather reports. Dates are UTC, damage is as reported and not inflation-adjusted, and the most recent entries may still be revised.
Cite this page
“Thunderstorm Wind in Lee County, Iowa.” Severe Weather History. severeweatherhistory.com/county/iowa/lee-county/thunderstorm-wind/ · Data: NOAA/NCEI, FEMA, U.S. Census — public domain.