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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Palo Alto County, IA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Palo Alto County, IA from April 5, 1958 through July 4, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 50536 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
121
Wind Reports
106
Tornado Reports
22
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Palo Alto County, IA · 1958–present Updated  Daily · last Jul 4, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Palo Alto County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Apr 13, 2026
11:30 PM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Pea to Quarter.
NWS Hail Report Location: Graettinger, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 28, 2025
10:31 PM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Mostly dime to nickel but a few up to quarter.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 N Ruthven, IA
2.00″ hail
May 21, 2024
2:21 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Corrects previous hail report from Mallard. Slightly larger than golfball size. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mallard, IA
1.25″ hail
Aug 12, 2023
1:58 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Delayed report. Relayed via social media. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mallard, IA
1.75″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
4:04 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Golf ball size hail intermixed with quarter sized hail now north of Cylinder.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 N Cylinder, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
4:00 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Reported by Trained Spotter.
NWS Hail Report Location: Cylinder, IA
3.00″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
4:00 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Media relayed report of measured 3 inch stone west of Cylinder. Delayed report. Time and location estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 WNW Cylinder, IA
1.75″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
3:55 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Leaf damage to trees around town. Some branches downed as well. Delayed report.
NWS Hail Report Location: Emmetsburg, IA
2.50″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
3:55 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Law enforcement relayed a report of nearly baseball sized hail in Emmetsburg. Delayed report. Time estimated.
NWS Hail Report Location: Emmetsburg, IA
1.75″ hail
Jun 25, 2023
3:52 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Law enforcement reports golf ball sized hail falling in Emmetsburg.
NWS Hail Report Location: Emmetsburg, IA
1.00″ hail
May 9, 2023
1:09 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: West Bend, IA
1.00″ hail
May 9, 2023
12:10 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 S Graettinger, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 13, 2022
12:35 AM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 W Fenton, IA
1.75″ hail
Jul 11, 2020
8:24 PM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT SIZE FROM 2 SSE MALLARD DOWN TO GOLF BALLS... BASED ON RELAYED PICTURE. KICD RADIO RELAYED REPORTS OF UP TO TENNIS BALL SIZED HAIL NEAR MALLARD. THIS IS A DELAYED REPORT. TIME AND LOCATION ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SSE Mallard, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 11, 2020
7:58 PM UTC
Hail report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: REPORT VIA KICD.
NWS Hail Report Location: Ruthven, IA
Showing 15 of 30
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 Palo Alto County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jul 4, 2026
5:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Local EM reports large branches down.
NWS Wind Report Location: Emmetsburg, IA
UNK mph
May 18, 2026
2:12 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Daily CoCoRaHS observer notes from IA-PA-5 stated there was damage to a machine shed 1 mile ESE of their location... which is the location of this report. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 W West Bend, IA
72 mph
Jul 29, 2025
4:16 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Updated the peak wind gust previous reported.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 N Ruthven, IA
58 mph
Jul 29, 2025
4:14 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 SSW Fenton, IA
62 mph
Jul 29, 2025
3:52 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 N Ruthven, IA
70 mph
Jun 11, 2025
9:04 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: From personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 ENE Rodman, IA
67 mph
Jun 11, 2025
8:51 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured by personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NNE Emmetsburg, IA
UNK mph
Jun 11, 2025
8:40 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Strong wind gusts with large branches down in Emmetsburg.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Emmetsburg, IA
UNK mph
Jun 19, 2024
12:23 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree branch down.
NWS Wind Report Location: West Bend, IA
59 mph
Jul 5, 2022
10:39 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: PERSONAL WEATHER STATION.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SW Ayrshire, IA
UNK mph
May 13, 2022
1:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: MEDIUM SIZE TREE BRANCH DOWN IN GRAETTINGER. REPORT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
NWS Wind Report Location: Graettinger, IA
UNK mph
Dec 15, 2021
11:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: HOG BUILDING COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 ESE Ruthven, IA
UNK mph
Dec 15, 2021
11:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DAMAGE TO OUTBUILDING AND TREES UPROOTED. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SE Graettinger, IA
UNK mph
Dec 15, 2021
11:42 PM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: EXTENSIVE BUILDING DAMAGE TO THE NORTHEAST OF AYRSHIR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NE Ayrshire, IA
UNK mph
Aug 27, 2021
5:03 AM UTC
Wind report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LARGE TREES REPORTED DOWN. DELAYED REPORT... TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 E Graettinger, IA
Showing 15 of 30
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 Palo Alto County

22 reports
UNK category
May 18, 2026
2:14 AM UTC
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Reports of power pole and tree damage in town. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Graettinger, IA
UNK category
Apr 13, 2026
11:40 PM UTC
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: via social media.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 N Emmetsburg, IA
EF0 category
Jun 16, 2014
4:49 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado entered from Pocahontas county. It continued to the northeast in rural areas of southern Palo Alto with only crop damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5.35 ESE Mallard, IA
F1 category
Jun 11, 2004
2:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado tracked through mostly open area with only minor damage reported.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 W Ruthven, IA
F1 category
Oct 13, 2000
5:56 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Numerous trees toppled as this tornado moved in from Pocahontas County and lifted southwest of West Bend.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 9 SW West Bend, IA
F0 category
Sep 13, 2000
7:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Brief touchdown
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 SE Ayrshire, IA
F1 category
Jul 26, 1997
9:30 AM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: W Emmetsburg Arpt, IA
F1 category
Jul 19, 1994
5:39 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: SE Cylinder, IA
F2 category
Jun 12, 1994
7:41 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F2 category
Jun 7, 1984
4:35 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F2 category
Jul 19, 1980
5:35 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F0 category
Jun 28, 1979
6:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F1 category
Jul 14, 1978
5:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
F1 category
Jul 14, 1978
5:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
UNK category
Jun 10, 1977
6:00 PM CST
Tornado report for Palo Alto County, IA
Palo Alto County · 3,800 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, IA
Showing 15 of 22
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 Palo Alto County on the Interactive Map

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Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Palo Alto County

Emmetsburg, IA 61
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Ruthven, IA 41
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Graettinger, IA 30
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Mallard, IA 29
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Cylinder, IA 24
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Ayrshire, IA 22
Hail, wind & tornado reports
West Bend, IA 19
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Curlew, IA 10
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Rodman, IA 4
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Palo Alto County, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population8,902
Households3,739
Housing units4,517
Income
Median household income$68,963
$100k+ households40.9%
$150k+ households14.9%
Housing stock
Single-family detached3,800
Attached single-family39
Small multifamily355
Large multifamily229
Mobile homes94
Housing mix
Single-family share84.1%
Attached-home share0.9%
Multifamily share12.9%
Mobile-home share2.1%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied2,831
Renter-occupied908
Vacant units778
Home value & age
Median home value$119,300
Owner homes $300k+13.7%
Owner homes $500k+4.1%
Owner homes $750k+2.7%
Median year built1957
Older-home share78.6%
Vehicle context
Households with cars3,603
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.

Top ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Palo Alto County

50536 63
Emmetsburg, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
51358 62
Ruthven, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50578 40
Ringsted, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50581 38
Rolfe, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50554 37
Laurens, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50546 35
Havelock, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50562 35
Mallard, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50598 31
Whittemore, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
51342 31
Graettinger, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50597 23
West Bend, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50539 22
Fenton, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50515 21
Ayrshire, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50528 17
Cylinder, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50527 10
Curlew, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Palo Alto County? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Palo Alto County have on record?

Our records show 121 hail, 106 wind, and 22 tornado reports in Palo Alto County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on July 4, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Palo Alto County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Palo Alto County is 3.00″. It was reported near Cylinder, IA on June 25, 2023.

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

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

I am selling a home in Palo Alto County — 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 Palo Alto County address?

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