Iron County, Utah
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 49021 · population 57,174 · 3,296 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 577 records for Iron County, Utah from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 457 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (342 records). 465 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the January 8, 2005 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone X Nw Kane/Xs Xe Iron/N W Washington/Nw Wc Garfield/Piute/W Wayne/Sevier T C/X E Millard/S Sanpete T Sc/X Se Juab/P X Nw Emery/X E Beaver, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 7 declarations naming the county since 1977, 5 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Flooding” on December 23, 2023.
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
- 577on 457 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 789 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $82Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 5strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 7latest 2023
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 Iron County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 342 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Utah'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 342 | 263 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 50 | $3.7M | 21 of 29 |
| High wind and dust storms | 101 | 96 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 31 | $4.1M | 16 of 29 |
| Floods | 58 | 52 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 3 | $17M | 12 of 29 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 28 | 22 | 1963-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 20 of 29 |
| Hail | 21 | 17 | 1970-2023 | 0 | 0 | $135K | 13 of 29 |
| Wildfires | 8 | 8 | 2012-2026 | 0 | 5 | $42M | 17 of 29 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 6 | 6 | 2005-2022 | 3 | 0 | $16M | 23 of 29 |
| Tornadoes | 5 | 5 | 1953-2025 | 0 | 0 | $81 | 15 of 29 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 3 | 1998-2005 | 0 | 0 | $36K | 18 of 29 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 1997-2021 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 16 of 29 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2015-2015 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 17 of 29 |
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 Iron County had?
NOAA records 5 tornadoes in Iron County from 1953 to 2025, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 15th of 29 Utah counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 5 tornadoes whose track touched Iron County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 5, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Utah.
Every tornado record filed for Iron County (5)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-18 | Cedar City Airport, Iron County | EF0 0.1 mi x 5 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-07-23 | Newcastle, Iron County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1986-05-30 | Iron County | F1 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1967-06-16 | Iron County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1953-07-14 | Iron County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Iron County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 18, 2026 winter weather (2 injuries and $300,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Snow Squall. Numerous mesonet sensors across southwest Utah reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between 30 to 60 mph, visibility between 0.10 to 0.25 miles, and very low road grips indicative of a flash freeze. Multiple crashes were reported near mile post 54 and resulted in 2 minor injuries. 4 semi trucks were involved in the accident, and one jackknifed.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1306284)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-22 | WildfireBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-13 | Thunderstorm WindParowan, Iron County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-19 | Heavy SnowBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-18 | Winter WeatherBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-18 | Winter WeatherBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-18 | Winter WeatherBeaver County and 2 more · forecast zone Southwest Utah | 0 | 2 | $300K | |
| 2026-02-17 | Winter StormBeaver County and 2 more · forecast zone Southwest Utah | 0 | 0 | $80K | |
| 2026-02-16 | Heavy SnowBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-09 | High WindBeaver County and 2 more · forecast zone Southwest Utah | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-25 | Thunderstorm WindLund, Iron County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-25 | Thunderstorm WindSummit, Iron County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-25 | Thunderstorm WindCedar City Airport, Iron County | 51 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-08 | AvalancheBeaver County and 9 more · forecast zone X Nw Kane/Xs Xe Iron/N W Washington/Nw Wc Garfield/Piute/W Wayne/Sevier T C/X E Millard/S Sanpete T Sc/X Se Juab/P X Nw Emery/X E Beaver A stalled storm system just off the southern California coast was able to tap abundant tropical moisture from the central Equatorial Pacific Ocean and dump copious amounts of rain and wet snow on many portions of Utah. The relatively warm air ahead of the storm raised snow levels and rain fell on an already deep ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2003-12-28 | Winter StormBeaver County and 9 more · forecast zone Central And Southwest Mountains Another potent winter storm hit much of Utah, with the northern part of the state the hardest hit. Weather was believed to be the main factor in 2 traffic fatalities. Several hundred minor accidents and fender benders occurred up and down the Wasatch Front, with no major injuries reported. Strong south winds ahead of ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-01-06 | Winter WeatherBeaver County and 2 more · forecast zone Southwest Utah At approximately 1:20 am MST on 1/6, an incident was reported to law enforcement of an accident involving an F-150 pickup truck travelling on southbound I-15 near milepost 81, just north of Paragonah. Utah State Highway Patrol concluded that the driver lost control of the vehicle on black ice, causing the vehicle to ... | 1 | 3 | $47K | |
| 2016-03-26 | Winter WeatherBeaver County and Iron County · forecast zone Southwest Utah A period of snowfall, with minor accumulations, led to slick roads along Interstate 15 in southern Utah in the early morning hours of March 26. These slick roads were a factor in several accidents near Beaver, Utah, including a rollover accident that led to two injuries and one fatality. The victim who passed away was ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2007-02-17 | AvalancheBeaver County and 9 more · forecast zone Central And Southwest Mountains Human triggered avalanche on Signal Peak claimed the life of a snowmobiler. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-04-08 | Winter StormBeaver County and 9 more · forecast zone X Nw Kane/Xs Xe Iron/N W Washington/Nw Wc Garfield/Piute/W Wayne/Sevier T C/X E Millard/S Sanpete T Sc/X Se Juab/P X Nw Emery/X E Beaver Another vigorous storm brought great powder to all of Utah's mountains, with heavy snow also in the northern valleys. Gusty winds also blew ahead of the front. The storm was even cold enough to bring the first April snowfall in 72 years to St. George, where a light dusting of about half an inch was reported. The storm ... | 0 | 19 | $18K | |
| 2017-03-05 | High WindBeaver County and Iron County · forecast zone Southwest Utah Maximum recorded wind gusts included 70 mph at the Milford Municipal Airport/Ben and Judy Briscoe Field ASOS, 67 mph at the Cedar City Regional Airport ASOS, 65 mph at Enterprise, and 65 mph at Brimstone Reservoir. Tree and fence damage was reported at multiple locations, including Enoch, Fillmore, and Cedar City. In ... | 61 kt wind | 0 | 10 | $96K |
| 2014-04-25 | High WindBeaver County and Iron County · forecast zone Southwest Utah The peak recorded wind gust across southwest Utah was 61 mph at the Milford ASOS. In addition, these strong winds caused low visibilities in blowing dust. On Interstate 15 between Parowan and Beaver, this led to accidents involving 13 vehicles, resulting in multiple injuries. | 53 kt wind | 0 | 10 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-19 | WildfireBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | $35M | |
| 2011-10-08 | Debris FlowBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | $16M | |
| 2021-08-01 | Flash FloodEnoch, Iron County | 0 | 0 | $9.8M | |
| 2002-04-15 | High WindBeaver County and 9 more · forecast zone X Nw Kane/Xs Xe Iron/N W Washington/Nw Wc Garfield/Piute/W Wayne/Sevier T C/X E Millard/S Sanpete T Sc/X Se Juab/P X Nw Emery/X E Beaver | 75 kt wind | 0 | 10 | $3.4M |
| 2017-06-17 | WildfireBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | $2.4M | |
| 2017-07-01 | WildfireBeaver County and 6 more · forecast zone Southern Mountains | 0 | 0 | $2.4M | |
| 2012-06-27 | WildfireBeaver County and Iron County · forecast zone Southwest Utah | 0 | 1 | $1.9M | |
| 2012-08-17 | Flash FloodCedar City, Iron County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
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 $30, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 30, 1986 (tornado, Iron 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 Iron 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 91 | 113 | 83 | 55 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 20 | 43 | 29 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 22 | 15 | 18 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Iron County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 67 · Feb 78 · Mar 71 · Apr 55 · May 25 · Jun 31 · Jul 49 · Aug 35 · Sep 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 42 · Dec 80 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Iron County
FEMA's register lists 7 declarations that include Iron County: 3 major disasters, 3 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for flood (2) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-12-23 | DR-4752 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4525 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3478 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-06-18 | FM-5185 | Fire | Brian Head Fire |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3223 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-08-01 | DR-1598 | Flood | Flooding and Landslides |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3024 | Drought | Drought |
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 Iron County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 58 flood or flash flood records for Iron County from 1997 to 2025, on 52 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Iron County ranks 2046th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $194,000 on 23 claims filed in Iron County; the most in one year was 3 in 2005. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1992: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2005: 3 · 2007: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2023: 2; 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 Iron County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Iron County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $30.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $15M | once in about 72 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $958K | 20 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.3M | 42 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $86K | 1.9 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $560K | 76 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $4.5M | once in about 78 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $7.8M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $388K | 1.3 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Iron 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 UtahEvery Utah tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in UtahThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Utah recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Iron CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Iron County's FEMA declarations (CSV)7 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis