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Severe WeatherHistory

Des Moines, IA severe weather history

NOAA has logged 428 severe weather events at Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa since 1996 — most often flood.

That is 19.9% of the 2,154 events recorded across Polk County as a whole.

Events on record
428
Direct deaths
246 injured
Property damage
$110.4M
Record span
1996–Jul 21, 2025

What hits Des Moines

Recent events logged at Des Moines

Most recent severe weather events recorded at Des Moines, newest first
DateEventDeathsInjuriesDamage
Jul 21, 2025Flash Flood00$20K
Jul 21, 2025Flash Flood00$20K
Jun 26, 2025Thunderstorm Wind00$0
May 19, 2025Hail00$0
Aug 1, 2024Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Aug 1, 2024Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jul 30, 2024Hail00$0
Jul 30, 2024Hail00$0
Jul 30, 2024Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jul 15, 2024Tornado · EF100$500K
May 24, 2024Flood00$0
May 24, 2024Flood00$0
May 22, 2024Flood00$0
May 22, 2024Flood00$0
May 22, 2024Flood00$0
May 21, 2024Thunderstorm Wind00$25K
Sep 18, 2022Hail00$0
Aug 19, 2022Flash Flood00$10K
Aug 19, 2022Flash Flood00$10K
Aug 19, 2022Flash Flood00$10K
Aug 19, 2022Flash Flood00$10K
Aug 19, 2022Hail00$0
Aug 19, 2022Hail00$0
Aug 7, 2022Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jun 7, 2022Flood00$0
Jun 7, 2022Flood00$0
May 8, 2022Lightning00$400K
Apr 24, 2022Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Aug 31, 2021Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Aug 31, 2021Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jul 9, 2021Hail00$0
Jul 9, 2021Hail00$0
Jul 9, 2021Hail00$0
May 26, 2021Hail00$0
Aug 10, 2020Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jun 22, 2020Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jun 22, 2020Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Jun 21, 2020Heavy Rain00$0
Jun 5, 2020Thunderstorm Wind00$0
Oct 1, 2019Hail00$0

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · dates in UTC · newest 40 records

Des Moines severe weather — your questions

When was the last severe weather event at Des Moines?

The most recent event on record for Des Moines is dated Jul 21, 2025 (UTC). NOAA publishes confirmed records on a delay of one to three months.

How many severe weather events has Des Moines recorded?

Des Moines appears in 428 NOAA storm reports since 1996 — 19.9% of everything logged across Polk County.

What is the most common severe weather at Des Moines?

Flood leads the record at Des Moines, out of 8 hazard types logged there.

Have there been weather deaths at Des Moines?

NOAA attributes 2 direct deaths and 46 injuries to severe weather at Des Moines since 1996.

Which decade was busiest at Des Moines?

The 2010s carry the most reports for Des Moines, with 186 events logged.

More of the Polk County record

Des Moines, IA Severe Weather History — Severe Weather History