Des Moines County, Iowa
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1954 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
24
Tornado reports
123
Hail reports
98
Floods since 1996
709
All events
0
Deaths
$32.3M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Des Moines County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 24 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Heavy rains resulted in the flash flooding of parts of Des Moines County during the early morning hours of May 12. The Burlington area and locations north were some of the hardest hit areas. The flood waters were 10 to 12 inches deep south of Agency Road. In addition, the interse…
The record crest on the Mississippi River at Burlington occurred on June 17, 2008 at 25.73 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet.
Covered the ground
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree down on house along with many power lines down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An awning blown off mobile home. Still had 45 to 50 mph winds 10 minutes later.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Recorded by the Burlington Iowa Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Utility poles and power lines down, the time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple power lines blown down in town, tree down on a house.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines blown down, time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees down with one on a home. The time was estimated from radar.
Hail Hail
A trained spotter reported dime to nickel size hail.
Blizzard Blizzard
Trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from 3.0 inches 2 miles southeast of the Burlington Regional Airport to 3.5 inches 2 miles southwest of Yarmouth. Wind gusted between 45 to 55 MPH across eastern Iowa combed with snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities between 1/2sm to …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The ASOS at the Burgling Regional Airport (KBRL) measured a peak thunderstorm wind gusts of 52 knots.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Trained spotter reports ranged from 7 inches 2 miles north of Burlington to 8.5 inches 1 mile east of Burlington.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Recorded wind gust at the Burlington Iowa Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter estimated wind speeds of 55 to 60 MPH.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report that they measured a thunderstorm wind gusts of 53 knots.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Emergency Manager reported that a tree was blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Emergency Manager reported that a DOT Metal Building/Shed collapsed. An NWS Storm Survey found straight-line wind damage with estimated speeds of 80 to 90 MPH.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Emergency Manager reported that 5 power poles were snapped. An NWS Storm Survey found that this was caused thunderstorms straight-line wind damage.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Wind equipement measured on the riverfront and Main Street.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured at the Burlington Iowa, KBRL.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured by wind equipement with branches blown down.
Ice Storm Ice Storm
Trained spotters and DOT reported widespread slick conditions with a 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch of ice accumulation on the ground and elevated surfaces.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated 60 MPH winds with heavy rain.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trained spotter estimated 60 mph winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported by Burlington airport ASOS station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reports of widespread wind damage in the Burlington area. Limbs, powerlines, and trees down blocking residential streets, tree down on home. Time was estimated using radar data.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Five houses had holes in roofs from fallen tree branches. A storage facility had a partial roof collapsed, and a roof was peeled back on a tall outbuilding.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Report from MPing.
Hail Hail
Report from MPing.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several large tree branches were reported down, and some fell on power lines.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Burlington ASOS reported a measured thunderstorm wind gusts of 51 knots.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The ASOS at the Burlington Airport reported a 58 MPH thunderstorm wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of an 8 inch tree limb down blocking the road. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Flood Flood
The Mississippi River at Burlington rose above its major flood stage of 18.0 feet around 11 PM on July 1st and crested at 20.48 feet on July 12th. The river fell back below its major flood stage around 10 PM on July 22nd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated wind speed, with lawn furniture being thrown around.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Time of the report was estimated using radar.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A public report of an estimated 58 MPH thunderstorm wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The ASOS at the Burlington Airport measured a 50 knot wind gust.
Tornado EF2 Tornado
An NWS survey team confirmed a long-track EF2 tornado Tuesday afternoon in southeast Iowa. The tornado developed just southwest of Houghton, Iowa in Lee County. Significant damage to homes, trees, and outbuildings was observed. The worst damage occurred at a farmstead north of Ne…
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 |
| 2024 | 27 | 1 |
| 2023 | 19 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 |
| 2021 | 23 | 0 |
| 2020 | 20 | 0 |
| 2019 | 39 | 4 |
| 2018 | 11 | 0 |
| 2017 | 15 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 |
| 2015 | 25 | 1 |
| 2014 | 18 | 0 |
| 2013 | 31 | 0 |
| 2012 | 19 | 0 |
| 2011 | 22 | 2 |
| 2010 | 33 | 0 |
| 2009 | 31 | 0 |
| 2008 | 40 | 0 |
| 2007 | 29 | 0 |
| 2006 | 33 | 0 |
| 2005 | 17 | 0 |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 |
| 2003 | 16 | 0 |
| 2002 | 16 | 0 |
| 2001 | 23 | 0 |
| 2000 | 32 | 0 |
| 1999 | 17 | 0 |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 |
| 1997 | 19 | 0 |
| 1996 | 14 | 0 |
| 1995 | 6 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 4 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 3 | 1 |
| 1982 | 4 | 1 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 8 | 3 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 4 | 2 |
| 1975 | 2 | 0 |
| 1974 | 6 | 2 |
| 1973 | 3 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 1 |
| 1965 | 2 | 1 |
| 1963 | 1 | 1 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Des Moines County, measured to its path.
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