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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 51521

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 51521 from June 29, 1968 through June 2, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 51521 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
19
Wind Reports
11
Tornado Reports
5
Max Hail Size
1.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 51521 · 1968–present Updated  Daily · last Jun 2, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 51521

19 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Jun 2, 2026
6:07 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Delayed report received via broadcast media... including a video showing copious amounts of hail falling. Hailstones were estimated to be at least 1 inch in diameter. Time was estimated using radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Avoca, IA
1.25″ hail
Sep 25, 2019
1:00 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HALF DOLLAR SIZE OR SLIGHTLY LARGER.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.75″ hail
Sep 25, 2019
12:58 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
Mar 6, 2017
10:15 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: AVOCA FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED HAIL ONGOING UP TO 1 INCH. WINDS UNDER 50 MPH.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 22, 2013
7:22 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3.96 ENE Avoca, IA
1.50″ hail
Apr 5, 2010
11:05 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter caused rather extensive damage to cars and even some houses in the Avoca area.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Avoca, IA
0.75″ hail
Jun 22, 2007
3:54 PM CST-6
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: The hail was accompanied by 2.2 inches of rain that fell in less than 1 hour.
NWS Hail Report Location: 8 SSE Harlan, IA
0.75″ hail
Jun 8, 2005
6:30 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
May 10, 2005
9:10 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2004
8:00 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 9, 2003
2:20 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SE Corley, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 9, 2003
2:10 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 6, 2003
3:20 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Some of the hail was still on the ground at daybreak.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
0.75″ hail
Jun 18, 2003
3:00 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 ESE Minden, IA
1.75″ hail
May 13, 2001
7:00 AM CST
Hail report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Avoca, IA
Showing 15 of 19
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 51521

11 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jun 7, 2022
11:17 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DELAYED REPORT. SEMI BLOWN OVER. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 WNW Avoca, IA
67 mph
Dec 15, 2021
10:50 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: MESONET STATION RAVI4 AVOCA (I-80).
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 ENE Avoca, IA
UNK mph
Jun 28, 2018
3:53 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: SEVERAL VERY LARGE LIMBS DOWN. 24 INCH OR MORE LIMBS AND TREES DOWN IN AVOCA AND ACROSS HIGHWAY 59.
NWS Wind Report Location: Avoca, IA
60 mph
Jul 7, 2008
3:54 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: An Iowa Department of Highway Rwis station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph along Interstate 80 near Avoca.
NWS Wind Report Location: .52 E Avoca, IA
60 mph
Aug 12, 2007
4:35 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was reported near Avoca.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1.48 NNE Avoca, IA
69 mph
Jun 22, 2007
4:05 PM CST-6
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The Pottawattamie county dispatch reported that thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 70 mph downed a few trees in Avoca.
NWS Wind Report Location: N Avoca, IA
58 mph
Jun 12, 2004
5:30 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated to near 60 mph were reported in Avoca.
NWS Wind Report Location: Avoca, IA
81 mph
Apr 20, 2001
9:50 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: An uncalibrated anemometer off of a home weather station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 105 mph. The wind speed was estimated here to be in the range of other wind gusts recorded with this event across east central Nebraska and Western Iowa from more potentially accurate sources.
NWS Wind Report Location: 7 SE Shelby, IA
58 mph
Jun 14, 1991
8:21 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK mph
Apr 14, 1976
9:30 PM CST
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK mph
Jun 29, 1968
1:40 AM CST
Wind report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 11 of 11
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 51521

5 reports
UNK category
Jul 13, 2023
11:28 AM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Correction to Time. A tornado impacted a farm on Reflection Lane. There was significant tree damage... windows were blown out of the home... and a large barn had nearly all walls collapse and the roof was removed. There was damage to grain bins farther to the east... and trees were topped to the west along the Nishnabotna River.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 N Hancock, IA
UNK category
Jul 12, 2023
11:28 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 51521
Pottawattamie County · 30,073 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado impacted a farm on Reflection Lane. There was significant tree damage... windows were blown out of the home... and a large barn had nearly all walls collapse and the roof was removed. There was damage to grain bins farther to the east... and trees were topped to the west along the Nishnabotna River.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 N Hancock, IA
EF1 category
Nov 11, 2015
1:52 PM CST-6
Tornado report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado entered Shelby County from Pottawattamie County from the southwest. The tornado impacted a total of 6 farmsteads in the county as it tracked to the north northeast. Damage at these farmsteads was confined to mainly outbuilding being damaged or destroyed, trees uprooted, and electrical power poles downed. The tornado tracked across the western side of the Harlan Airport without doing damage to the airport, but a wind gust associated with the rear-flank downdraft of the storm was measured at 76 mph at the automatic observing equipment on the east side of the airport. The tornado finally ended just to the southeast of the city of Harlan.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4.24 ESE Shelby, IA
F0 category
May 8, 2004
7:55 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 9 SSE Harlan, IA
F2 category
Sep 25, 1973
11:59 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 51521
Shelby County · 4,803 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 5 of 5
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 51521 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 51521 area census snapshot

People & households
Population1,935
Households857
Housing units934
Income
Median household income$71,715
$100k+ households36.5%
$150k+ households15.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached848
Attached single-family12
Small multifamily36
Large multifamily23
Mobile homes15
Housing mix
Single-family share90.8%
Attached-home share1.3%
Multifamily share6.3%
Mobile-home share1.6%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied636
Renter-occupied221
Vacant units77
Home value & age
Median home value$173,100
Owner homes $300k+17.0%
Owner homes $500k+3.0%
Owner homes $750k+1.4%
Median year built1941
Older-home share77.9%
Vehicle context
Households with cars824
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 51521 have on record?

Our records show 19 hail, 11 wind, and 5 tornado reports in and near ZIP 51521, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on June 2, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 51521?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 51521 is 1.75″. It was reported near Avoca, IA on September 25, 2019.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 51521 — 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 51521 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 51521 — 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 51521 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 51521 — 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 51521 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 51521 — 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 51521, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 51521, 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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