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Wind in Hamilton County, Iowa
185 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. Storm records through 30 Jun 2026.
Hamilton County, Iowa, has 185 wind events in the NCEI record since 1950, with at least one in 47 different years.
June is the busiest month, with 44 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 84 events against 86 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.
The county holds 0.9% of the 20,854 wind events recorded in Iowa; its 32.1 per 100 square miles compares with 37.3 statewide.
NCEI attributes 1 death in the county to damaging wind.
126 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 14 reached hurricane force (74 mph).
Some winter weather and high wind events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county; zone-recorded events whose zone is named for the county are included and marked "Forecast zone" in the table.
Compared with Iowa
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind events since 1950 | 185 | 20,854 | 701,953 |
| Per 100 square miles | 32.1 | 37.3 | 19.9 |
| Per 10,000 residents | 124.3 | 65.3 | 21.1 |
| Deaths recorded | 1 | 25 | 2,166 |
| Busiest month | June | June | June |
By year
Seasonality
4Feb
6Mar
15Apr
26May
26Jun
44Jul
22Aug
20Sep
9Oct
4Nov
7Dec
2
Magnitude distribution
NWS wind thresholds
- under 58 mph
- below severe threshold
- 58–73 mph
- severe
- 74–95 mph
- hurricane-force
- 96 mph and over
- extreme
Wind speed converted from the knots NCEI records; estimated and measured gusts are combined. Events without a speed are not binned.
Recorded events
All 185 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.
| Date | Event type | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 2026 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 22 Sep 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 27 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 May 2025 | High Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 19 Mar 2025 | High Wind | 40 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $2K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Mar 2025 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Feb 2025 | High Wind | 40 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Jul 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 21 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 21 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Apr 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Apr 2022 | High Wind | 41 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Apr 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 67 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Dec 2021 | High Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Aug 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Aug 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Apr 2019 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Aug 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $20K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Aug 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $15K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Aug 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jun 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 May 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Apr 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $20K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Mar 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Mar 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $20K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Mar 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 17 Jul 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Jul 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Feb 2016 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 11 Nov 2015 | High Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 31 Aug 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 55 mph | — | $1K | — | — | County |
| 31 Aug 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Aug 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Jun 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Jun 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Jun 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $25K | $10K | — | — | County |
| 30 Jun 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Jun 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 May 2013 | High Wind | 41 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Sep 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 mph | $10K | $25K | — | — | County |
| 25 Jul 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Mar 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $1K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 Feb 2012 | High Wind | 60 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Jan 2012 | High Wind | 44 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Sep 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $2K | — | — | — | County |
| 2 Sep 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Aug 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Jun 2011 | High Wind | 68 mph | $100K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Jun 2011 | High Wind | 40 mph | $15K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Oct 2010 | High Wind | 60 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jul 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $2K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jul 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $250K | $100K | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2010 | High Wind | 60 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Apr 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 76 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Aug 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 mph | $10K | $10K | — | — | County |
| 3 Aug 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Jun 2009 | High Wind | 58 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 May 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | $1K | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Oct 2008 | High Wind | 40 mph | $25K | $25K | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 14 Aug 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Jul 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $30K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $25K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $25K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 May 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 May 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Apr 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Apr 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jul 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $5K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 18 Jul 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 May 2007 | High Wind | 60 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 17 Sep 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $5K | $3K | — | — | County |
| 16 Sep 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $3K | $2K | — | — | County |
| 16 Sep 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 71 mph | $5K | $10K | — | — | County |
| 1 Aug 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $15K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 8 May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $20K | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Apr 2006 | High Wind | 40 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Mar 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Mar 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jan 2006 | High Wind | 43 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Nov 2005 | High Wind | 58 mph | $30K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Nov 2005 | High Wind | 40 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Jul 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $2K | $1K | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $2K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 29 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 29 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 68 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 27 Jun 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $25K | $1K | — | — | County |
| 12 May 2005 | High Wind | 40 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 May 2005 | High Wind | 58 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 22 Jan 2005 | High Wind | 58 mph | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Dec 2004 | High Wind | 40 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Aug 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $10K | $2K | — | — | County |
| 29 May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 May 2004 | High Wind | 46 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Apr 2004 | High Wind | 40 mph | $75K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Apr 2004 | High Wind | 60 mph | $80K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Mar 2004 | High Wind | 40 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Nov 2003 | High Wind | 58 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 26 Aug 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $25K | $10K | — | — | County |
| 26 Aug 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $5K | $2K | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $40K | $2K | — | — | County |
| 30 May 2003 | High Wind | 40 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 11 Feb 2003 | High Wind | 58 mph | $5K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Oct 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $30K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 11 May 2002 | High Wind | 58 mph | $75K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 May 2002 | High Wind | 60 mph | $5K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Mar 2002 | High Wind | — | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | $2K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Apr 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $40K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Apr 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $30K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Apr 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 7 Apr 2001 | High Wind | 63 mph | $75K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Sep 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 13 Jun 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $1K | — | — | — | County |
| 13 Jun 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $1K | — | — | — | County |
| 22 May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 Apr 2000 | High Wind | 60 mph | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Jul 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jun 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $25K | — | — | — | County |
| 10 May 1999 | High Wind | 58 mph | $25K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Apr 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | $20K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 8 Apr 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $2K | — | — | — | County |
| 17 Mar 1999 | High Wind | 58 mph | $30K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Nov 1998 | High Wind | 70 mph | $300K | $5K | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $40K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 29 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $35K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 29 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $35K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 18 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 79 mph | $200K | $20K | — | — | County |
| 15 May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 12 Apr 1998 | High Wind | — | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Aug 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jun 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 mph | $25K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jun 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | $10K | — | — | — | County |
| 20 Jun 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | $3K | — | — | — | County |
| 5 May 1997 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Apr 1997 | High Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Oct 1996 | High Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Apr 1996 | High Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Mar 1996 | High Wind | 62 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Feb 1996 | High Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 17 Jan 1996 | High Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Aug 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | $1K | — | — | County |
| 20 Sep 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | $5K | — | — | County |
| 12 Jun 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | $50 | — | — | County |
| 15 Jul 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Apr 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Apr 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Apr 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Apr 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Jun 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Jun 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Jun 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 13 Mar 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Nov 1988 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 7 Nov 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 28 Jul 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 28 Jul 1986 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Jul 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 1983 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Jul 1980 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 28 Jun 1978 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 15 Aug 1977 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Apr 1976 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Aug 1975 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 22 Jun 1974 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 22 Jun 1974 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 8 Jun 1974 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 1973 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Jul 1969 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
Questions and answers
How many wind events has Hamilton County had?
185 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of damaging wind became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.
When was the last recorded wind event in Hamilton County?
18 Feb 2026 (High Wind, 58 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.
What was the most damaging wind event recorded in Hamilton County?
The thunderstorm wind of 18 Jul 2010, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $250K and crop damage at $100K.
How does Hamilton County compare with Iowa for wind?
32.1 events per 100 square miles against 37.3 statewide; the county holds 185 of the state's 20,854 recorded events.
Provenance
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026, public domain. County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county (marked "Forecast zone"). Population and area from the US Census Bureau (2021). Built 1 Oct 2026. See the methodology, the Wind hub and the county page.