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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Union County, IA

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Union County, IA from May 29, 1956 through September 15, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 50801 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
118
Wind Reports
151
Tornado Reports
41
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Union County, IA · 1956–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 15, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Union County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Jun 11, 2026
11:55 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Afton, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 11, 2026
11:45 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Creston, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 18, 2025
3:58 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: quarter size hail at intersection of us 169 and us 34.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 W Thayer, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 18, 2025
3:49 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Dime to quarter size hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: Afton, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 18, 2025
3:43 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SW Afton, IA
1.25″ hail
May 21, 2024
8:42 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Estimated half dollar sized hail in Creston. Time estimated with radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Creston, IA
1.75″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:43 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Near Green Valley Lake.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NNW Creston, IA
1.25″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:20 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 W Lorimor, IA
1.75″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:15 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Photo from WHO TV viewer.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lorimor, IA
1.25″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:13 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 S Lorimor, IA
1.75″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:12 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Delayed report by Trained Spotter... measured up to 1.75 inch hail stones. Shredded leaves.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lorimor, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:11 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lorimor, IA
1.00″ hail
Apr 30, 2024
11:03 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Near Rea Rd and Creamery Rd. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 S Macksburg, IA
1.00″ hail
Jul 17, 2023
2:25 PM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: via social media.
NWS Hail Report Location: Lorimor, IA
1.00″ hail
Jun 18, 2023
1:29 AM UTC
Hail report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail in Creston.
NWS Hail Report Location: Creston, 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 Union County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
63 mph
Sep 15, 2026
3:06 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 S Creston, IA
UNK mph
Jun 11, 2026
12:03 PM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report - time estimated from radar. Received photos via email of tree damage in Lorimor... IA.
NWS Wind Report Location: S Lorimor, IA
59 mph
Jun 11, 2026
11:55 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed entry - measured from KCSQ.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 S Creston, IA
70 mph
Jun 11, 2026
11:55 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Relayed via NWS Chat.
NWS Wind Report Location: Creston, IA
UNK mph
Jun 11, 2026
11:55 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report - time estimated from radar. Photo from social media with tree branches down across roadway.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SE Creston, IA
UNK mph
Jun 11, 2026
11:50 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report - time estimated by radar. Received photos of damage via email.
NWS Wind Report Location: Creston, IA
60 mph
Apr 15, 2026
5:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Creston, IA
UNK mph
Jul 8, 2025
5:35 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 4 inch diameter tree limb snapped. Delayed report relayed through social media. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NNW Arispe, IA
UNK mph
Apr 18, 2025
3:24 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 6 power poles broken between 2600 & 2700 block. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 ESE Kent, IA
UNK mph
Apr 18, 2025
3:22 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: damage to farm building. trees. and power lines. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SE Kent, IA
UNK mph
Sep 20, 2024
3:41 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 6 NNE Ellston. Delayed report. Two maple trees blown down. Damage to the top of an oak tree. Power lines damaged due to fallen trees.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 NNE Ellston, IA
UNK mph
Sep 19, 2024
3:41 PM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Delayed report. Two maple trees blown down. Damage to the top of an oak tree. Power lines damaged due to fallen trees.
NWS Wind Report Location: 6 NNE Ellston, IA
62 mph
Jun 26, 2024
3:20 AM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 62 mph recorded wind gust on handheld anemometer. Blinding rain sheets.
NWS Wind Report Location: Lorimor, IA
UNK mph
Apr 30, 2024
10:54 PM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees in road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 S Macksburg, IA
UNK mph
Apr 30, 2024
10:28 PM UTC
Wind report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Damage to trees and damage to house. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNE Creston, 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 Union County

30 reports
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:54 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Large tornado near Afton moving northeast. Debris field reported with damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 W Afton, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:31 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 NW Afton, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:28 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Trained spotter reported tornado on the ground east of Creston. Time and location estimated from radar.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 WNW Afton, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:25 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Power poles with debris on US Highway 34 between Creston and Afton. Highway is closed.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4 WNW Afton, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:15 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado reported to the southwest of Macksburg.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 NE Creston, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:09 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado with debris near the hospital in Creston.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Creston, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2024
12:04 AM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado on the ground... heading northeast.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 WSW Creston, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2016
10:51 PM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: RELAYED REPORT OF A TORNADO NORTH OF CRESTON
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 NNE Creston, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2016
10:47 PM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO JUST SOUTH OF CRESTON BUT HAS BECOME RAIN WRAPPED.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SSW Creston, IA
UNK category
Apr 27, 2016
10:43 PM UTC
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TORNADO 1 MILE WEST OF THE CRESTON AIRPORT HEADING TOWARDS CRESTON.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 SSW Creston, IA
EF1 category
Nov 11, 2015
2:17 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado crossed three counties in southern Iowa. This is segment three in Union county. This long track tornado damaged a number of farmsteads along its 22 mile long path. The tornado was at its strongest in NW Ringgold County where EF-1 damage was found. The beginning and end sections of the track were narrow and intermittent. The narrow tornado also clipped the town of Clearfield to the NW early in its life.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3.96 SSE Kent, IA
EF2 category
Apr 14, 2012
5:53 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado continued in from Adams county. NWS storm survey confirmed a strong EF2 tornado. It entered Union county just southwest of Cromwell and tracked east-northeast through the far northwest portion of Creston. The Greater Regional Medical Center and Southwest Community College sustained EF2 damage with the worst occurring to the Green Hills Education Center. The tornado continued tracking northeast and damaged a few farmsteads northeast of Creston.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .07 WNW Cromwell, IA
EF0 category
Mar 22, 2011
5:16 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Tornado spotted with debris cloud.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.77 N Cromwell, IA
EF1 category
Jun 5, 2008
8:24 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The roof was taken off of an outbuilding and power lines were blown down north of Creston.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.25 NW Creston, IA
EF1 category
Jun 4, 2008
8:58 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Union County, IA
Union County · 4,414 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Report relayed by KCCI television. Also from several storm chasers and spotters. This tornado crossed from Union County into Clarke County.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.15 ENE Afton, 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 Union County on the Interactive Map

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Union County

Creston, IA 158
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Afton, IA 43
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Lorimor, IA 36
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Cromwell, IA 26
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Kent, IA 15
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Arispe, IA 12
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Shannon City, IA 7
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Thayer, IA 5
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Union County, IA area census snapshot

People & households
Population12,038
Households5,055
Housing units5,790
Income
Median household income$56,813
$100k+ households34.3%
$150k+ households12.0%
Housing stock
Single-family detached4,414
Attached single-family106
Small multifamily592
Large multifamily378
Mobile homes292
Housing mix
Single-family share76.2%
Attached-home share1.8%
Multifamily share16.8%
Mobile-home share5.0%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied3,645
Renter-occupied1,410
Vacant units735
Home value & age
Median home value$117,800
Owner homes $300k+10.3%
Owner homes $500k+3.4%
Owner homes $750k+1.0%
Median year built1961
Older-home share73.7%
Vehicle context
Households with cars4,720
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 Union County

50801 204
Creston, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50174 81
Murray, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50851 76
Lenox, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50830 51
Afton, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50149 44
Lorimor, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50845 32
Diagonal, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50074 20
Sun Valley Lake, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50254 5
Thayer, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50842 5
Cromwell, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports
50861 3
Shannon City, IA Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

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

Our records show 118 hail, 151 wind, and 41 tornado reports in Union County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on September 15, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Union County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Union County is 3.00″. It was reported near Lorimor, IA on June 19, 2021.

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

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

I am selling a home in Union 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 Union County address?

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