Page County, Iowa

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 19145 · population 15,202 · 535 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 509 records for Page County, Iowa from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 344 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (148 records). The deadliest single record is the April 12, 1964 tornado: 1 death and 28 injuries. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1965, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on March 23, 2019.

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
509on 344 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
253 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$85Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
43strongest F4
FEMA declarations
16latest 2020

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 Page County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 148 since 1960. 51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 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.

Page County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 148 109 1960-2026 1 0 $869K 34 of 99
Hail 143 93 1960-2026 0 0 $222K 20 of 99
Winter storms 56 54 1996-2025 0 0 – 97 of 99
Tornadoes 43 32 1954-2026 1 53 $76M 17 of 99
Extreme cold 30 30 1996-2025 0 0 – 31 of 99
Heat 30 29 1999-2026 0 0 – 7 of 99
Floods 24 21 1996-2026 0 0 $8.2M 95 of 99
High wind and dust storms 20 20 1996-2026 0 0 $75K 69 of 99
Heavy rain 5 4 2007-2017 0 0 – 75 of 99
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 5 4 1998-2024 0 0 – 70 of 99
Drought 4 4 2012-2012 0 0 – 98 of 99
Lightning 1 1 1996-1996 0 0 $66K 78 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 Page County had?

NOAA records 43 tornadoes in Page County from 1954 to 2026, the strongest rated F4, with 1 death and 53 injuries recorded in the county. That is 17th of 99 Iowa 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 40 tornadoes whose track touched Page County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 43: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people, 1 of them in Page County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Page County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1979-08-28 17:25, as SPC files itFarragut to NorthboroF338.3 mi2
1964-04-12 16:45, as SPC files itCoinF413.1 mi1
1979-03-29 17:45, as SPC files itBraddyvilleCrossed IA, MOF418.8 mi0
1954-04-05 17:00, as SPC files itNorthboroCrossed IA, MOF46.3 mi0
2024-05-21 13:43, as SPC files itCarbonEF333.86 mi0
1984-06-07 16:20, as SPC files itClarindaF325 mi0
1964-06-19 19:10, as SPC files itShenandoahF311.5 mi0
1964-06-19 20:21, as SPC files itClarindaF310.6 mi0
1954-04-05 17:30, as SPC files itBlanchardF35.2 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Iowa.

Every tornado record filed for Page County (43)
Every tornado recorded in Page County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-11 Villisca, Page County EF1 1.87 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Nyman, Page County EF1 7.1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2026-04-23 Coin, Page County EF0 2.11 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2025-07-11 Hawleyville, Page County EFU 0.01 mi x 1 yd 0 0 –
2025-04-17 Essex Airport, Page County EF1 10.93 mi x 1,219 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-21 Nyman, Page County EF1 6.21 mi x 750 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-21 Hepburn, Page County EF1 1.73 mi x 85 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-21 Bethesda, Page County EF1 3.27 mi x 80 yd 0 0 –
2019-10-01 Shenandoah, Page County EFU 0.01 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2017-06-28 Bingham, Page County EF1 2.12 mi x 75 yd 0 0 –
2015-11-11 Norwich, Page County EF0 0.57 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2008-06-05 Essex, Page County EF0 1.16 mi x 80 yd 0 0 –
2004-08-26 Coin, Page County F2 7 mi x 1,200 yd 0 0 –
2004-08-26 Coin, Page County F0 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2002-07-26 Clarinda, Page County F1 1.5 mi x 400 yd 0 0 –
2000-06-13 Essex, Page County F0 3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
1999-04-08 Clarinda, Page County F1 9 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $35K
1999-04-08 College Spgs, Page County F1 8 mi x 440 yd 0 1 $177K
1999-04-08 Shenandoah, Page County F1 5 mi x 70 yd 0 0 $18K
1987-07-08 Page County F1 1 mi x 23 yd 0 0 $25K step
1987-05-26 Page County F1 1 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $250K step
1984-06-07 Page County F3 7 mi x 100 yd 0 3 $2.5M step
1983-05-06 Page County F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1983-05-01 Page County F1 5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $250K step
1983-05-01 Page County F0 1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $3K step
1983-05-01 Page County F0 1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $250 step
1981-05-23 Page County F0 0 0 –
1979-09-05 Page County F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1979-08-28 Page County F3 12.8 mi x 533 yd 0 0 $3K step
1979-03-29 Page County F4 10.8 mi x 500 yd 0 16 $2.5M step
1975-06-18 Page County F2 0 0 $25K step
1971-05-23 Page County F1 0 0 $25K step
1971-05-23 Page County F0 0 0 $250 step
1967-06-07 Page County F1 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $250K step
1964-09-22 Page County F2 11.8 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $250K step
1964-06-19 Page County F3 10.6 mi x 200 yd 0 1 $250K step
1964-06-19 Page County F3 11.5 mi x 350 yd 0 2 $2.5M step
1964-04-12 Page County F4 13.1 mi x 400 yd 1 28 $2.5M step
1960-11-27 Page County F1 4.9 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1955-04-23 Page County F2 1.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1955-04-03 Page County F1 0.5 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $3K step
1954-04-05 Page County F3 5.2 mi x 667 yd 0 0 –
1954-04-05 Page County F4 3.3 mi x 700 yd 0 2 $25K 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 Page County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the August 10, 2025 thunderstorm wind (1 death).

A damaging wind event swept through Page County, Iowa, during the morning of August 10th, 2025. The most severe damage occurred near Shenandoah, where straight-line wind gusts were estimated as high as 95 miles per hour. Tragically, 1 mile north-northwest of Shenandoah, Emergency Management reported an incident that resulted in 1 fatality when a shed at a campsite was overturned, along with significant tree damage and minor structural damage in the area. Further reports of estimated 95 miles per hour gusts in the same vicinity detailed numerous large snapped trees. In addition, an estimated 70 miles per hour gust 1 mile west of Shenandoah was responsible for overturning a semi-truck in a retail parking lot. The storm left a path of destruction across the county, particularly around Shenandoah.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1290177)
The 12 most recent records kept for Page County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-28 HeatPage County · forecast zone Page 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Flash FloodShenandoah Municipal Airport, Page County 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindShambaugh, Page County 56 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindBethesda, Page County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-11 HailClarinda, Page County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindEssex, Page County 78 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindEssex, Page County 70 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindNyman, Page County 62 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-11 HailYorktown, Page County 2.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-11 HailYorktown, Page County 3.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-11 HailYorktown, Page County 3.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-11 HailShenandoah, Page County 2.00 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Page County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1964-04-12 TornadoPage County F4 13.1 mi x 400 yd 1 28 $2.5M step
2025-08-10 Thunderstorm WindShenandoah, Page County A damaging wind event swept through Page County, Iowa, during the morning of August 10th, 2025. The most severe damage occurred near Shenandoah, where straight-line wind gusts were estimated as high as 95 miles per hour. Tragically, 1 mile north-northwest of Shenandoah, Emergency Management reported an incident that ... 83 kt wind 1 0 –
1979-03-29 TornadoPage County F4 10.8 mi x 500 yd 0 16 $2.5M step
1984-06-07 TornadoPage County F3 7 mi x 100 yd 0 3 $2.5M step
1964-06-19 TornadoPage County F3 11.5 mi x 350 yd 0 2 $2.5M step
1954-04-05 TornadoPage County F4 3.3 mi x 700 yd 0 2 $25K step
1999-04-08 TornadoCollege Spgs, Page County Of the 12 tornadoes reported over eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa on 4/8/99, this one produced the only injury, to a woman who suffered minor cuts due to flying glass. The tornado touched down just southwest of College Springs, tracked west of that town and then lifted just southwest of Clarinda. Several houses ... F1 8 mi x 440 yd 0 1 $177K
1964-06-19 TornadoPage County F3 10.6 mi x 200 yd 0 1 $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.

The costliest records in Page County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2007-05-06 FloodShenandoah, Page County 0 0 $1.3M
2008-06-05 FloodEssex, Page County 0 0 $1.1M
2008-06-05 FloodClarinda, Page County 0 0 $754K
1998-04-14 Thunderstorm WindBraddyville, Page County 0 0 $724K
1999-04-08 TornadoCollege Spgs, Page County F1 8 mi x 440 yd 0 1 $177K
1999-04-08 TornadoClarinda, Page County F1 9 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $35K

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: April 12, 1964 (tornado, Page County, 1 killed); March 29, 1979 (tornado, Page County); June 7, 1984 (tornado, Page 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 Page 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).

Page County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind0592421313226
Hail043421464817
Winter storms––––821189
Tornadoes46683538
Extreme cold––––9894
Heat––––141510

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 33 · Feb 23 · Mar 26 · Apr 57 · May 78 · Jun 131 · Jul 51 · Aug 43 · Sep 20 · Oct 11 · Nov 7 · Dec 29 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Page County

FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Page County: 13 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (6) and severe storm (4).

Declarations including Page County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2020-03-23DR-4483BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3480BiologicalCovid-19
2019-03-23DR-4421FloodSevere Storms and Flooding
2010-02-25DR-1877Severe StormSevere Winter Storms and Snowstorm
2008-05-27DR-1763Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2008-01-04DR-1737Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2007-05-25DR-1705Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
2005-09-10EM-3239HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2004-05-25DR-1518Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1998-07-02DR-1230FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
1993-07-09DR-996FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1991-12-26DR-928Severe Ice StormIce Storm
1987-07-17DR-795FloodStorms & Flash Flooding
1979-04-06EM-3076TornadoSevere Storms & Tornadoes
1972-09-26DR-354FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1965-04-22DR-193FloodFlooding

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 Page County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 24 flood or flash flood records for Page County from 1996 to 2026, on 21 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Page County ranks 2685th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $6,833 on 3 claims filed in Page County; the most in one year was 1 in 2008. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

2008: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2019: 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 Page County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Page County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $12.1 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Page County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$2.1M8.2 modeled event-days a year
DroughtRelatively Moderate$1.2M9.4 modeled event-days a year
HailRelatively Moderate$697K6.1 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.4Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$1.8M4.3 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Low$532K4.1 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$46K12 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$54Konce in about 2 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Page County

  1. Nodaway County, MO 629
  2. Taylor County 580
  3. Fremont County 536
  4. Mills County 516
  5. Page County 509
  6. Atchison County, MO 462
  7. Montgomery County 454
  8. Adams County 424

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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