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Wind in Union County, Iowa

164 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.

164 events · 0 deaths recorded · peak month June · county share of state 0.8%

2025-07-07: Wind2024-09-19: Wind2024-06-25: Wind2024-04-30: Wind2024-04-26: Wind2023-07-12: Wind2023-07-12: Wind2023-07-12: Wind2023-07-12: Wind2023-06-29: Wind2023-06-17: Wind2022-06-07: Wind2022-06-07: Wind2022-06-07: Wind2022-04-23: Wind2022-04-23: Wind2021-12-15: Wind2021-12-15: Wind2019-07-03: Wind2019-06-22: Wind2019-05-27: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-10: Wind2018-06-10: Wind2018-06-10: Wind2018-05-01: Wind2017-05-17: Wind2017-05-17: Wind2017-05-17: Wind2016-08-11: Wind2016-07-17: Wind2015-07-27: Wind2015-06-10: Wind2014-07-07: Wind2014-06-19: Wind2012-07-14: Wind2012-04-14: Wind2011-08-06: Wind2011-08-06: Wind2011-08-06: Wind2011-08-06: Wind2010-06-22: Wind2010-06-22: Wind2009-08-09: Wind2009-08-09: Wind2009-06-23: Wind2009-04-24: Wind2008-09-29: Wind2008-06-27: Wind2008-06-15: Wind2008-06-08: Wind2008-06-04: Wind2008-06-04: Wind2008-06-04: Wind2008-06-04: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-30: Wind2008-05-25: Wind2008-05-25: Wind2008-05-24: Wind2007-09-06: Wind2007-08-20: Wind2007-08-12: Wind2007-08-12: Wind2007-08-07: Wind2007-08-07: Wind2006-09-17: Wind2006-07-26: Wind2006-04-15: Wind2006-04-15: Wind2005-06-29: Wind2004-08-26: Wind2004-08-26: Wind2004-08-26: Wind2004-06-12: Wind2004-05-17: Wind2004-05-08: Wind2003-08-19: Wind2003-05-04: Wind2002-08-17: Wind2002-08-17: Wind2002-07-10: Wind2002-07-10: Wind2002-06-26: Wind2001-09-07: Wind2001-06-14: Wind2000-06-25: Wind2000-06-25: Wind1999-05-16: Wind1998-06-27: Wind1998-06-18: Wind1998-06-14: Wind1998-05-21: Wind1998-05-21: Wind1998-05-21: Wind1998-05-21: Wind1998-05-21: Wind1997-06-21: Wind1996-08-19: Wind1996-07-29: Wind1996-06-20: Wind1996-05-03: Wind1996-04-19: Wind1996-03-24: Wind1992-09-14: Wind1992-07-04: Wind1990-06-13: Wind1990-05-09: Wind1989-07-17: Wind1989-04-27: Wind1986-04-29: Wind1983-05-06: Wind1982-10-05: Wind1982-06-15: Wind1979-06-19: Wind1979-06-19: Wind1979-06-12: Wind1979-06-12: Wind1978-05-12: Wind1975-06-16: Wind1969-06-28: Wind1957-06-11: Wind
Wind event locations in and around Union County. Dots: Wind event locations in the kept record. Boundaries: US Census Bureau.

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.

NCEI records 164 wind events in Union County, Iowa, between 1950 and 2026, spread over 41 years.

June is the busiest month, with 49 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 81 events against 71 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.

The county holds 0.8% of the 20,854 wind events recorded in Iowa; its 38.7 per 100 square miles compares with 37.3 statewide.

121 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 10 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

MeasureUnion CountyIowaUS
Wind events since 195016420,854701,953
Per 100 square miles38.737.319.9
Per 10,000 residents136.565.321.1
Deaths recorded0252,166
Busiest monthJuneJuneJune

By year

195019882026
Wind events recorded in Union County per year, 1950 to 2026 (2026 is partial).

Seasonality

Jan
4
Feb
1
Mar
7
Apr
20
May
29
Jun
49
Jul
18
Aug
19
Sep
6
Oct
4
Nov
3
Dec
4
Wind events in Union County by month of occurrence, all years.

Magnitude distribution

under 58 mph40
58–73 mph111
74–95 mph9
96 mph and over1
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 164 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.

DateEvent typeMagnitudeProperty damageCrop damageDeathsInjuriesGeography
7 Jul 2025Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
5 Mar 2025High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
19 Sep 2024Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
25 Jun 2024Thunderstorm Wind62 mph————County
30 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
26 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind72 mph————County
12 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
12 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
12 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
12 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
29 Jun 2023Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
17 Jun 2023Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
7 Jun 2022Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
7 Jun 2022Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
7 Jun 2022Thunderstorm Wind68 mph————County
23 Apr 2022Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
23 Apr 2022Thunderstorm Wind59 mph————County
15 Dec 2021High Wind64 mph————Forecast zone
15 Dec 2021Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
15 Dec 2021Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$50K———County
3 Jul 2019Thunderstorm Wind67 mph————County
22 Jun 2019Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
27 May 2019Thunderstorm Wind62 mph————County
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$30K———County
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind69 mph————County
10 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind63 mph————County
10 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
10 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$20K———County
1 May 2018Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$30K———County
4 Dec 2017High Wind61 mph————Forecast zone
17 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
17 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
17 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
11 Aug 2016Thunderstorm Wind61 mph————County
17 Jul 2016Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
27 Jul 2015Thunderstorm Wind61 mph————County
10 Jun 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$2K———County
7 Jul 2014Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
19 Jun 2014Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
26 Jan 2014High Wind63 mph$25K———Forecast zone
16 Jan 2014High Wind58 mph$10K———Forecast zone
14 Jul 2012Thunderstorm Wind69 mph$2K$5K——County
14 Apr 2012Thunderstorm Wind79 mph$250K———County
6 Aug 2011Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
6 Aug 2011Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
6 Aug 2011Thunderstorm Wind67 mph————County
6 Aug 2011Thunderstorm Wind71 mph$50K$25K——County
22 Jun 2010Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K———County
22 Jun 2010Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$2K———County
9 Aug 2009Thunderstorm Wind74 mph$25K$10K——County
9 Aug 2009Thunderstorm Wind102 mph$500K$50K——County
23 Jun 2009Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
24 Apr 2009Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
26 Oct 2008High Wind59 mph$25K$25K——Forecast zone
29 Sep 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
27 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
15 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind59 mph————County
8 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
4 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind71 mph$1K———County
4 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$2K———County
4 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
4 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$3K———County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$3K———County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind64 mph————County
30 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$3K———County
25 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind63 mph$3K———County
25 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$15K———County
24 May 2008Thunderstorm Wind61 mph————County
6 Sep 2007Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$5K———County
20 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind61 mph$3K———County
12 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
12 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
7 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind61 mph$5K———County
7 Aug 2007Thunderstorm Wind61 mph$2K$10K——County
17 Sep 2006Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
26 Jul 2006Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$25K$5K——County
13 Jul 2006Thunderstorm Wind59 mph$2K———County
15 Apr 2006Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
15 Apr 2006Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
30 Mar 2006Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
24 Jan 2006High Wind61 mph$10K———Forecast zone
12 Nov 2005High Wind58 mph$50K———Forecast zone
29 Jun 2005Thunderstorm Wind82 mph$10K$10K——County
10 Mar 2005High Wind63 mph$5K———Forecast zone
30 Oct 2004High Wind58 mph$10K———Forecast zone
26 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind66 mph$10K$1K——County
26 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
26 Aug 2004Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
12 Jun 2004Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K——1County
17 May 2004Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
8 May 2004Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
27 Apr 2004High Wind64 mph$75K———Forecast zone
18 Apr 2004High Wind40 mph$80K———Forecast zone
12 Nov 2003High Wind60 mph$50K———Forecast zone
19 Aug 2003Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
4 May 2003Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$5K———County
17 Aug 2002Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$3K———County
17 Aug 2002Thunderstorm Wind61 mph$5K$5K——County
10 Jul 2002Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K$5K——County
10 Jul 2002Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$25K$10K——County
26 Jun 2002Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K$2K——County
18 Apr 2002High Wind—$100K———Forecast zone
9 Mar 2002High Wind—$50K———Forecast zone
7 Sep 2001Thunderstorm Wind66 mph$40K$10K——County
14 Jun 2001Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
7 Apr 2001High Wind58 mph$50K———Forecast zone
25 Jun 2000Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
25 Jun 2000Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$5K$3K——County
8 Mar 2000High Wind58 mph$10K———Forecast zone
16 May 1999Thunderstorm Wind68 mph$3K———County
10 Nov 1998High Wind70 mph$300K$5K——Forecast zone
27 Jun 1998Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$25K$2K——County
25 Jun 1998High Wind62 mph$13K$3K——Forecast zone
18 Jun 1998Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
14 Jun 1998Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$20K———County
21 May 1998Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$5K———County
21 May 1998Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K$1K——County
21 May 1998Thunderstorm Wind67 mph$20K$5K——County
21 May 1998Thunderstorm Wind63 mph$10K$1K—1County
21 May 1998Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$2K———County
12 Apr 1998High Wind—$50K———Forecast zone
21 Jun 1997Thunderstorm Wind79 mph$75K$5K——County
6 Apr 1997High Wind63 mph————Forecast zone
29 Oct 1996High Wind66 mph————Forecast zone
19 Aug 1996Thunderstorm Wind69 mph$5K$1K——County
29 Jul 1996Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$2K———County
20 Jun 1996Thunderstorm Wind59 mph$10K———County
3 May 1996Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$500———County
25 Apr 1996High Wind60 mph————Forecast zone
19 Apr 1996Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
24 Mar 1996Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$20K———County
24 Mar 1996High Wind62 mph————Forecast zone
10 Feb 1996High Wind64 mph————Forecast zone
17 Jan 1996High Wind63 mph————Forecast zone
4 Jul 1995Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
27 May 1995Thunderstorm Wind86 mph$100K———County
20 Jun 1994Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$5K$50——County
25 Apr 1994Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$5K———County
25 Apr 1994Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$50K———County
14 Sep 1992Thunderstorm Wind75 mph————County
4 Jul 1992Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
13 Jun 1990Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
9 May 1990Thunderstorm Wind92 mph————County
17 Jul 1989Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
27 Apr 1989Thunderstorm Wind58 mph————County
29 Apr 1986Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
6 May 1983Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
5 Oct 1982Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
15 Jun 1982Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
19 Jun 1979Thunderstorm Wind90 mph————County
19 Jun 1979Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
12 Jun 1979Thunderstorm Wind76 mph————County
12 Jun 1979Thunderstorm Wind76 mph————County
12 May 1978Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
16 Jun 1975Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
28 Jun 1969Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County
11 Jun 1957Thunderstorm Wind0 mph————County

Questions and answers

How many wind events has Union County had?

164 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 Union County?

7 Jul 2025 (Thunderstorm Wind, 60 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.

What was the most damaging wind event recorded in Union County?

The thunderstorm wind of 9 Aug 2009, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $500K and crop damage at $50K.

How does Union County compare with Iowa for wind?

38.7 events per 100 square miles against 37.3 statewide; the county holds 164 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.