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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Polk County, IA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Polk County, IA from May 28, 1955 through September 9, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 50023 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
662
Wind Reports
758
Tornado Reports
71
Max Hail Size
3.25″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Polk County, IA · 1955–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 9, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Polk County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.50″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:31 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Mitchellville, IA
1.75″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:20 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Picture sent in via social media.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mitchellville, IA
1.75″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:17 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 Nw Bondurant, IA
1.25″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:10 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Relayed public photo of a hailstone estimated at half dollar sized. Time and location also estimated.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 Se Ankeny, IA
1.50″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:09 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 E Ankeny, IA
1.25″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:09 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 Nw Bondurant, IA
1.50″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:08 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Trained spotter reported largest hail around 1.5 inches and minor siding damage.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Ankeny, IA
0.88″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
11:08 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Time estimated.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 Nw Altoona, IA
2.25″ hail
Sep 8, 2026
10:53 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report of 2.25 inch hail relayed from broadcast media via email.
NWS Hail Report Location: Ankeny, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 21, 2026
2:07 AM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: West Des Moines, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 21, 2026
12:33 AM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 Sse Alleman, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 2, 2026
10:25 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 NW Polk City, IA
1.50″ hail
Jul 2, 2026
9:40 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NE Windsor Heights, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 2, 2026
9:37 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Urbandale, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 2, 2026
9:35 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report of 1 inch hail and 2.5 inch branches down.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 NNE Windsor Heights, 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 Polk County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Sep 9, 2026
12:15 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Received photo via social media of downed trees in neighborhood of Drake University. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 E Windsor Heights, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:29 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report. Picture of large branches down. Relayed from broadcast media.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Des Moines, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:24 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Grain silo destroyed and siding from a nearby building torn off. Time estimate via radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nnw Mitchellville, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:20 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Amateur radio report of trees down near Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Des Moines, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:19 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trained spotter reported 6 inch branch down. Also reported multiple smaller branches down. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nnw Des Moines, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:18 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Relayed public image of a large oak tree significantly damaged by wind. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Des Moines, IA
66 mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:17 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Des Moines Int Airport, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:15 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Received several photos of damage from the Sherman Hill neighborhood. Damage includes downed trees and damaged road signs. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ene Des Moines, IA
UNK mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:11 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Received photo via NWSChat of a downed tree at Sunset and 97th in Clive. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Clive, IA
71 mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:10 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Ankeny RWIS site measured a 71 MPH gust.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 Ne Ankeny, IA
68 mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:02 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 Nne Ankeny, IA
75 mph
Sep 8, 2026
11:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured gust from a Personal Weather Station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Ankeny, IA
74 mph
Sep 8, 2026
10:39 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured gust at a Personal Weather Station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 Sse Madrid, IA
59 mph
Aug 13, 2026
11:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured from personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 Sw Polk City, IA
61 mph
Aug 13, 2026
11:39 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Measured from personal weather station.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Alleman, 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 Polk County

30 reports
UNK category
Apr 24, 2026
1:25 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Trained spotter reports tornado on the ground.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 S Mitchellville, IA
UNK category
Jul 15, 2024
10:43 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tree and outbuilding damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 NNE Windsor Heights, IA
UNK category
Jul 15, 2024
10:38 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Brief tornado report by Polk County DPS.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 S Grimes, IA
UNK category
May 24, 2024
9:55 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS damage survey identified damage consistent with an EF0 tornado that tracked from southern into eastern portions of Johnston from 453 AM to 457 AM.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 E Johnston, IA
UNK category
May 21, 2024
10:00 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 NW Elkhart. Spotter reports major damage to homes/barns in area. Reported vicinity address 14790 NE 38th ST.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Elkhart, IA
UNK category
May 21, 2024
9:55 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Corrects previous tornado report from 2 NW Elkhart. Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 NW Elkhart. Spotter reports major damage to homes/barns in area. Reported vicinity address 14790 NE 38th ST. . Estimated time that damage occurred from radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Elkhart, IA
UNK category
May 21, 2024
9:40 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: damage just south of Alleman.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 S Alleman, IA
UNK category
May 21, 2024
9:40 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: rain wrapped.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 SE Polk City, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
1:59 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Power flashes reported near Pleasant Hill. TDS also noted on radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Pleasant Hill, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
1:56 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Reported by General Public.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 SE Des Moines, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
1:54 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Structure damage to a home with possible injury.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 NW Pleasant Hill, IA
UNK category
Mar 6, 2022
12:21 AM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORT OF MULTIPLE HOUSES IN AREA LEVELED VIA NWSCHAT.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 ESE Pleasant Hill, IA
UNK category
May 25, 2020
11:26 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO BEGAN NEAR TERRA PARK AND ENDED NEAR DEWEY PARK IN JOHNSTON... IOWA. ESTIMATED PEAK WIND OF 95 MPH WITH DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE LARGE TREES AND POWER LINES. NO DAMAGE TO ANY BUILDINGS. MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH OF 50 YARDS WITH A PATH LENGTH OF 1.6 MILES.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 ESE Johnston, IA
UNK category
Jul 19, 2018
8:12 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TREES DOWNED. ROOF BLOWN OFF HOUSE. CAR BLOWN OVER.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Bondurant, IA
UNK category
Jul 19, 2018
8:10 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, IA
Polk County · 134,175 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NEAR NE 118TH ST...NORTH AND EAST OF BONDURANT.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Bondurant, IA
Showing 15 of 30
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 Polk County on the Interactive Map

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Hail
Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Polk County

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Polk County, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population497,441
Households202,404
Housing units215,016
Income
Median household income$81,621
$100k+ households43.2%
$150k+ households18.6%
Housing stock
Single-family detached134,175
Attached single-family16,302
Small multifamily16,709
Large multifamily43,310
Mobile homes4,278
Housing mix
Single-family share62.4%
Attached-home share7.6%
Multifamily share27.9%
Mobile-home share2.0%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied135,757
Renter-occupied66,647
Vacant units12,612
Home value & age
Median home value$248,400
Owner homes $300k+35.0%
Owner homes $500k+8.0%
Owner homes $750k+2.3%
Median year built1981
Older-home share49.3%
Vehicle context
Households with cars190,761
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 Polk County

50023 124
Ankeny, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50131 118
Johnston, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50321 90
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50322 90
Urbandale, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50265 89
West Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50021 75
Ankeny, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50310 74
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50111 69
Grimes, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50047 68
Carlisle, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50156 66
Madrid, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50228 65
Prairie City, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50316 65
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50325 65
Clive, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50009 55
Altoona, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50226 52
Polk City, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50317 51
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50309 50
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50313 43
Des Moines, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Polk 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 Polk County have on record?

Our records show 662 hail, 758 wind, and 71 tornado reports in Polk County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on September 9, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Polk County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Polk County is 3.25″. It was reported near Windsor Heights, IA on July 9, 2021.

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

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

I am selling a home in Polk 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 Polk County address?

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