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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Elma, IA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Elma, IA from May 15, 1968 through July 8, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 50628 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
20
Wind Reports
13
Tornado Reports
8
Max Hail Size
3.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Elma, IA · 1968–present Updated  Daily · last Jul 8, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Elma, IA

20 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Apr 27, 2026
9:31 PM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 N Lourdes, IA
2.75″ hail
Apr 14, 2026
10:09 PM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
3.50″ hail
Apr 14, 2026
9:56 PM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 27, 2019
5:35 PM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: .
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 27, 2019
5:30 PM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 7 NE Elma, IA
1.00″ hail
Mar 7, 2017
1:25 AM UTC
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 ESE New Haven, IA
0.75″ hail
Apr 12, 2014
8:35 PM CST-6
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4.53 W Elma, IA
0.75″ hail
Apr 10, 2011
2:40 PM CST-6
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .5 ESE Elma, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 17, 2009
8:56 PM CST-6
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .5 E Elma, IA
0.75″ hail
Jun 17, 2009
6:42 PM CST-6
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Elma, IA
0.75″ hail
May 29, 2006
4:50 PM CST
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
0.75″ hail
May 29, 2006
4:25 PM CST
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
1.75″ hail
Jul 31, 2003
2:50 PM CST
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
0.75″ hail
Jul 7, 2003
2:40 AM CST
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SW Elma, IA
0.88″ hail
Jun 19, 2002
4:55 AM CST
Hail report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Elma, IA
Showing 15 of 20
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 Elma, IA

13 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jul 8, 2026
11:04 PM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media report of a few large limbs down.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 S Saratoga, IA
UNK mph
Aug 30, 2024
12:15 AM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power lines reported down in Elma.
NWS Wind Report Location: Elma, IA
UNK mph
Aug 6, 2024
2:30 AM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Fallen tree on roadway. Time estimated via radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NNW Lourdes, IA
60 mph
Jun 12, 2024
7:18 PM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Dispatch reports fire department had estimated 60 mph winds east of Elma and spotted a possible funnel cloud.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 E Elma, IA
UNK mph
May 31, 2022
2:25 AM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: POWER LINES REPORTED DOWN BETWEEN ELMA AND RICEVILLE.
NWS Wind Report Location: Elma, IA
UNK mph
Dec 16, 2021
1:20 AM UTC
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: REPORT FROM MPING: TREES UPROOTED OR SNAPPED; ROOF BLOWN OFF.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Elma, IA
70 mph
Jul 24, 2010
1:13 AM CST-6
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The brother of a NWS employee reported 5 foot diameter trees snapped off and some roofs were damaged.
NWS Wind Report Location: .5 E Elma, IA
70 mph
Jul 24, 2010
1:10 AM CST-6
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Four steel grain bins, a barn, well house and two machine sheds were destroyed by thunderstorms winds.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 NNW Elma, IA
63 mph
Sep 21, 2007
2:35 PM CST-6
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Two silos were damaged, a grain bin was caved in, and one end of a machine shed was lost.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 W Elma, IA
60 mph
Jul 7, 2003
2:40 AM CST
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SW Elma, IA
UNK mph
Aug 24, 1975
7:20 PM CST
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK mph
Jul 5, 1975
6:00 AM CST
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK mph
Jun 24, 1971
5:10 PM CST
Wind report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 13 of 13
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 Elma, IA

8 reports
UNK category
May 27, 2019
6:28 PM UTC
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO ON GROUND NEAR 180TH STREET JUST NORTH OF ELMA MOVING SLOWLY NORTH.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Elma, IA
UNK category
Jul 19, 2017
10:15 PM UTC
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: DRONE FOOTAGE OF 0.70 MILE LONG... 20 YD WIDE TORNADO TRACK IN CORN. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR. ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT A 1 MINUTE. ESTIMATED WINDS OF UP TO 80 MPH...EF0.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 SSW Saratoga, IA
UNK category
Jul 19, 2017
10:15 PM UTC
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: DRONE FOOTAGE OF 0.70 MILE LONG... 20 YD WIDE TORNADO TRACK IN CORN. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR. ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT A 1 MINUTE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 SSW Saratoga, IA
EF0 category
Aug 31, 2014
9:12 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado had a narrow path that stayed mostly in fields. Crossed one farmstead with little damage. Tornado was found using high resolution satellite imagery.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.69 NNW Lourdes, IA
EF0 category
Aug 31, 2014
9:08 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Longer path that was tight at many points. Trees damaged at a farmstead. Widened out at the end. Tornado found using high resolution satellite imagery.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.27 NNE Elma, IA
F2 category
Jul 19, 1994
7:29 PM CST
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: E Elma To, IA
F4 category
Jul 12, 1971
5:15 PM CST
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F5 category
May 15, 1968
4:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Elma, IA
Howard County · 3,918 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 8 of 8
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 Elma, IA on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Elma

50628 38
Elma, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Elma, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population618
Households273
Housing units321
Income
Median household income$41,528
$100k+ households25.3%
$150k+ households3.7%
Housing stock
Single-family detached258
Attached single-family14
Small multifamily7
Large multifamily22
Mobile homes20
Housing mix
Single-family share80.4%
Attached-home share4.4%
Multifamily share9.0%
Mobile-home share6.2%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied170
Renter-occupied103
Vacant units48
Home value & age
Median home value$71,400
Owner homes $300k+3.5%
Owner homes $500k+3.5%
Owner homes $750k+--
Median year built1944
Older-home share78.8%
Vehicle context
Households with cars253
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 Elma have on record?

Our records show 20 hail, 13 wind, and 8 tornado reports in and near Elma, IA, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on July 8, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Elma?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Elma, IA is 3.50″. It was reported near Elma, IA on April 14, 2026.

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

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

I am selling a home in Elma — 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 Elma address?

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