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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 50278

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 50278 from May 12, 1970 through May 19, 2025, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 50278 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
11
Wind Reports
17
Tornado Reports
3
Max Hail Size
2.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 50278 · 1970–present Updated  Daily · last May 19, 2025

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 50278

11 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
May 19, 2025
10:22 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Mostly pea to nickel sized.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 E Zearing, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 7, 2024
2:27 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Via mPING. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 N Zearing, IA
1.25″ hail
Aug 11, 2022
7:03 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: LARGEST HAIL AT THE TIME WITH HAIL STILL ONGOING.
NWS Hail Report Location: Zearing, IA
1.25″ hail
Aug 11, 2022
7:03 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NNW Zearing, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 18, 2017
2:50 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: DELAYED REPORT. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NW Zearing, IA
1.00″ hail
May 17, 2017
3:15 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 NW Zearing, IA
0.75″ hail
Jun 8, 2005
6:10 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 W Zearing, IA
0.88″ hail
Oct 29, 2004
4:52 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Zearing, IA
0.75″ hail
Aug 3, 2004
4:17 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Boone County · 9,755 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Boone, IA
0.75″ hail
Aug 3, 2004
3:03 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Greene County · 3,563 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Churdan, IA
2.00″ hail
Apr 14, 1976
7:55 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 11 of 11
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near ZIP 50278

17 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jul 7, 2024
2:28 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several tree limbs down with the biggest being 15 inch diameter.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2022
7:06 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: PICTURES OF DAMAGING TO SIDING AND ROOFS. CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE FROM WIND DRIVEN HAIL.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 WNW Zearing, IA
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2022
7:05 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 1 TO 2 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS DOWN ALONG WITH LARGER OLDER BRANCHES.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
UNK mph
Jul 11, 2022
10:03 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE SNAPPED IN HALF. IMAGE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
UNK mph
Aug 10, 2020
4:15 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREE AND BIN DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
60 mph
Jun 30, 2018
11:45 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: EM RELAYS TRAINED SPOTTER REPORT OF 60 TO 70 MPH WINDS BETWEEN 630 AND 800 PM.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
60 mph
Jun 18, 2017
2:50 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DELAYED REPORT. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NW Zearing, IA
UNK mph
May 26, 2016
8:48 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: SEVERAL BIG TREE LIMBS (ROUGHLY 3-4 INCHES IN DIAMETER) DOWN IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF ZEARING. SOUTHERN ZEARING WITHOUT POWER. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: Zearing, IA
75 mph
Jun 30, 2014
11:57 AM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Numerous 40 to 50 foot trees down in Zearing.
NWS Wind Report Location: .58 SSE Zearing, IA
70 mph
Sep 3, 2011
5:30 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: High winds damaged farm buildings and crops.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2.04 NNW Zearing, IA
60 mph
Jul 18, 2007
4:47 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: N Zearing, IA
70 mph
Mar 31, 2007
2:30 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3.44 SE Zearing, IA
70 mph
Aug 3, 2004
4:40 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Black Hawk County · 40,971 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cedar Falls, IA
74 mph
Sep 7, 2001
2:30 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Zearing, IA
58 mph
Mar 13, 1990
8:48 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 15 of 17
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 50278

3 reports
EF0 category
Jun 30, 2014
12:02 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This is a multiple segment tornado with three segments that passed through portions of Story, Marshall and Hardin counties. This is the first segment in Story county. This longer track tornado formed about a mile and a half east of Zearing where a farmstead sustained roof damage to multiple buildings. The relatively narrow tornado continued to the NE, with RFD winds destroying 6 grain bins and an outbuilding just south of the track. The tornado then passed into Marshall county.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.91 ESE Zearing, IA
EF0 category
Jun 8, 2010
5:34 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Brief landspout briefly touched the ground. Numerous other funnels.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.52 S Zearing, IA
F1 category
May 12, 1970
9:15 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 50278
Story County · 21,893 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 3 of 3
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 50278 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 50278 area census snapshot

People & households
Population819
Households310
Housing units325
Income
Median household income$67,344
$100k+ households41.0%
$150k+ households12.6%
Housing stock
Single-family detached307
Attached single-family2
Small multifamily14
Large multifamily0
Mobile homes2
Housing mix
Single-family share94.5%
Attached-home share0.6%
Multifamily share4.3%
Mobile-home share0.6%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied252
Renter-occupied58
Vacant units15
Home value & age
Median home value$170,400
Owner homes $300k+11.9%
Owner homes $500k+--
Owner homes $750k+--
Median year built1960
Older-home share88%
Vehicle context
Households with cars308
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does ZIP 50278 have on record?

Our records show 11 hail, 17 wind, and 3 tornado reports in and near ZIP 50278, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on May 19, 2025.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 50278?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 50278 is 2.00″. It was reported near Zearing, IA on April 14, 1976.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 50278 — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves ZIP 50278 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 50278 — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a ZIP 50278 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 50278 — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific ZIP 50278 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 50278 — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in and around ZIP 50278, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 50278, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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