Appanoose County, Iowa
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 19007 · population 12,311 · 497 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 563 records for Appanoose County, Iowa from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 343 days; the most frequent are hail reports (114 records). The most damaging was the June 12, 2010 flood ($27.1 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1973, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes” on February 23, 2022.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 563on 343 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 012 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $231Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 24strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 2022
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Appanoose County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 114 since 1961. 54% of its hail reports since 1961 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Iowa's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 114 | 63 | 1961-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 65 of 99 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 113 | 71 | 1965-2024 | 0 | 3 | $3.1M | 74 of 99 |
| Heavy rain | 96 | 45 | 2007-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 99 |
| Floods | 71 | 48 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $35M | 39 of 99 |
| Winter storms | 64 | 62 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | 83 of 99 |
| Drought | 31 | 31 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 0 | $156M | 27 of 99 |
| Tornadoes | 24 | 18 | 1961-2018 | 0 | 8 | $26M | 80 of 99 |
| Extreme cold | 21 | 21 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $5.9M | 64 of 99 |
| High wind and dust storms | 17 | 17 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $886K | 73 of 99 |
| Lightning | 5 | 5 | 1996-2013 | 0 | 1 | $249K | 18 of 99 |
| Heat | 4 | 4 | 2001-2019 | 0 | 0 | $177K | 51 of 99 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 2013-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 75 of 99 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Appanoose County had?
NOAA records 24 tornadoes in Appanoose County from 1961 to 2018, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 8 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 25 tornadoes whose track touched Appanoose County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 24: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Iowa.
Every tornado record filed for Appanoose County (24)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-09 | Forbush, Appanoose County | EF0 0.45 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-10-09 | Centerville Airport, Appanoose County | EF0 1.63 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2017-03-06 | Cincinnati, Appanoose County | EF1 8.01 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
| 2017-03-06 | Centerville Airport, Appanoose County | EF2 9.66 mi x 90 yd | 0 | 0 | $903K |
| 2017-03-06 | Jerome, Appanoose County | EF1 7.24 mi x 180 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2015-11-11 | Griffinsville, Appanoose County | EF2 4.91 mi x 180 yd | 0 | 0 | $249K |
| 2008-04-10 | Griffinsville, Appanoose County | EF1 2.92 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $103K |
| 2008-04-10 | Jerome, Appanoose County | EF1 2.01 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $103K |
| 2007-06-07 | Plano, Appanoose County | EF0 0.15 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-24 | Centerville, Appanoose County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2001-09-20 | Udell, Appanoose County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 1996-05-09 | Moravia, Appanoose County | F1 0.7 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | $132K |
| 1995-05-27 | Rathbun, Appanoose County | F0 0.2 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1992-07-15 | Appanoose County | F2 3 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1990-06-16 | Appanoose County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1990-06-16 | Appanoose County | F0 0.1 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1988-11-15 | Appanoose County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1988-05-08 | Appanoose County | F2 24 mi x 43 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-06-02 | Appanoose County | F2 14.7 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 5 | $2.5M step |
| 1980-06-02 | Appanoose County | F1 2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 1970-10-08 | Appanoose County | F2 2 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-06-12 | Appanoose County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1964-06-14 | Appanoose County | F2 11.9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1961-09-01 | Appanoose County | F2 1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Appanoose County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 28, 2019 flood ($404,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Emergency manager reported multiple secondary roads remained under water or closed and a few culverts damaged or destroyed in Appanoose County from the heavy rainfall and subsequent overland and river flooding.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 824329)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-07 | Heavy RainForbush, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-07 | Heavy RainForbush, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-07 | Heavy RainBrazil, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-07 | Heavy RainSharon, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-06 | Heavy RainCenterville, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-05 | High WindAppanoose County · forecast zone Appanoose | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-06-13 | HailMoulton Airport, Appanoose County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-06-13 | HailMoulton Airport, Appanoose County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-06-13 | HailExline, Appanoose County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-04-30 | HailIconium, Appanoose County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | HailCenterville, Appanoose County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | HailCenterville, Appanoose County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980-06-02 | TornadoAppanoose County | F2 14.7 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 5 | $2.5M step |
| 1980-06-02 | TornadoAppanoose County | F1 2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 2014-04-27 | Thunderstorm WindUdell, Appanoose County A woman was injured by flying debris. | 56 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2007-08-22 | LightningCenterville, Appanoose County Thunderstorms continued off and on through the day on the 22nd. As an area of thunderstorms moved across the Centerville area of Appanoose County, lightning struck a utility pole along Iowa Highway 5. The pole fell onto the roadway, hitting a truck. One person received minor injuries. | 0 | 1 | $7K | |
| 2001-09-07 | Thunderstorm WindCenterville, Appanoose County Two distinct boundaries were in place across Iowa. A cold front had slipped into the northwest part of the state and nearly bisected the state by the early evening hours. Meanwhile, an east-northeast to west-southwest boundary was in place across the central part of the state. The second boundary was left in place by ... | 75 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $175K |
| 1989-05-24 | Thunderstorm WindAppanoose County | 0 | 1 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-12 | FloodIconium, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $27M | |
| 2017-03-06 | TornadoCenterville Airport, Appanoose County | EF2 9.66 mi x 90 yd | 0 | 0 | $903K |
| 2007-08-23 | Flash FloodRathbun, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $818K | |
| 2015-07-28 | Thunderstorm WindGriffinsville, Appanoose County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $747K |
| 2011-06-26 | Flash FloodCincinnati, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $682K | |
| 2000-06-25 | Flash FloodCountywide, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $428K | |
| 2019-05-28 | FloodGriffinsville, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $404K | |
| 2007-08-23 | Flash FloodThirty, Appanoose County | 0 | 0 | $370K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 2, 1980 (tornado, Appanoose County); June 2, 1980 (tornado, Appanoose County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Appanoose County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 30 | 37 | 19 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 29 | 45 | 7 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 65 | 27 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 10 | 26 | 34 | 1 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 16 | 25 | 14 | 9 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 1 | 4 | 12 | 14 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
54% of its hail reports since 1961 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 21 · Mar 35 · Apr 41 · May 72 · Jun 121 · Jul 84 · Aug 44 · Sep 45 · Oct 27 · Nov 14 · Dec 24 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Appanoose County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Appanoose County: 14 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-02-23 | DR-4642 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-03-23 | DR-4483 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3480 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-03-23 | DR-4421 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2015-07-31 | DR-4234 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2013-07-02 | DR-4126 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2013-05-31 | DR-4119 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2010-07-29 | DR-1930 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2008-05-27 | DR-1763 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2008-01-04 | DR-1737 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2007-09-14 | DR-1727 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3239 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-05-25 | DR-1518 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 1998-07-02 | DR-1230 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1993-07-09 | DR-996 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-05-23 | DR-386 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Appanoose County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 71 flood or flash flood records for Appanoose County from 1996 to 2021, on 48 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Appanoose County ranks 2436th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $103,000 on 8 claims filed in Appanoose County; the most in one year was 4 in 2007. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1980: 1 · 1982: 1 · 2007: 4 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Appanoose County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Appanoose County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.3 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively High | $2.6M | 14 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $544K | 4.2 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $6K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $708K | 7.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $286K | 4.2 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $757K | 4.5 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $164K | 46 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Appanoose County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in IowaEvery Iowa tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in IowaThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Iowa recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Appanoose CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Appanoose County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis