Hail in Fayette County, Iowa

Clusters of severe thunderstorms generated by an approaching cold front affected part of northeast Iowa during the afternoon and early evening of July 24. Reports of hail up to 2 inches in diameter were common from storm spotters, law enforcement officials and the public, with a report of close to softball size hail near Ossian (Winneshiek County). In addition, wind gusts between 55 and 65 mph occurred. Crop damage due to the large hail was estimated in the millions of dollars.

Two sets of storms about five hours apart hit Fayette and Winneshiek Counties exceptionally hard with hail damage to buildings and many corn and bean fields stripped clean. In Fayette County, 250,000 acres were impacted with a total loss of 35,000 acres. In Winneshiek County, loss was estimated at 30,000 acres. Total damage costs combined with Fayette and Winneshiek Counties could have reached $169 million. The Farm Service Agency director said both counties were decimated by the storm damage.

In Allamakee County, 7,400 acres were affected with an estimated $1 million in damage.

In Clayton County, 47,000 acres were hit with $10 million in damage.

Howard County had 36,000 acres impacted, with a total loss of 10,000 acres and an estimated damage cost of $11 million.