West Des Moines, Iowa Natural Disasters

HazardDB

Hazard Score

52 Catastrophes Recorded

Historical_Hail

Historical_Tornadoes

Historical_Floods

Historical_Wind

West-Des-Moines, Iowa

13 Land Tracts in Polk County , North Raccoon Watershed

West-Des-Moines, Iowa, faces a relatively moderate risk of natural disasters and climate hazards. The area experiences high levels of precipitation and humidity, which can lead to flooding and water-related disasters. The region is also prone to thunderstorms and has a moderate risk of lightning strikes. Additionally, the area is located near the North Raccoon and Des Moines hydrologic units, which can contribute to increased flood risk during heavy rainfall events.

While West-Des-Moines is not located near coastlines or fault lines, it is part of the Upper Mississippi hydrologic region, which can experience river flooding. The relatively low elevation of the area, combined with its proximity to water bodies like the Des Moines River, increases the risk of flooding during severe weather events. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by agricultural land, which can exacerbate flooding due to soil runoff and increased water flow into nearby rivers.

Overall, West-Des-Moines faces a very high risk of severe weather events such as tornadoes, as indicated by the relatively high trend risk in the region. The city's location in the state of Iowa, known for its tornado activity, further increases the likelihood of tornadoes impacting the area. Additionally, the city's relatively high climate score suggests that extreme weather events may become more frequent in the future, posing a greater risk to the population and infrastructure of West-Des-Moines.

Wildfire Risk: Very Low

Tornado Risk: Low

Hurricane Risk: Very Low

Hail Risk: Low

Flood Risk: Moderate

Tsunami Risk: Very Low

Earthquake Risk: Very Low

Wind Risk: Low

HAZARDS

7

Power Transmission Lines

0

Coastlines

1

Water Bodies

0

Fault Lines

EMERGENCY SERVICES

1

Hazard Shelters

2

Fire Stations

0

Hospitals

1

Police Stations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Polk, Iowa faces a relatively moderate overall natural disaster and climate risk rating, with specific risks including hailstorms, thunderstorms, and flooding. The area experiences a high frequency of lightning events, with a risk rating of relatively moderate. The risk of wildfires is relatively low, while the risk of windstorms is relatively high due to the area's exposure to strong winds.

Polk County is located inland, away from coastlines, which reduces the risk of hurricanes and tsunamis. However, the area is prone to flooding due to its proximity to water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The region also has a low risk of earthquakes, given its distance from major fault lines. The presence of agricultural land and urban areas in the county increases the vulnerability to certain disasters, such as hailstorms and thunderstorms, which can cause damage to crops and infrastructure.

Geological features in Polk County include river ... Read More

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

Average Temperature

10 °F Cold

Average Precipitation

890 mm Moderate

Average Humidity

81% Moderately High

Plant Hardiness

5/10 Moderate

NATURAL CATASTROPHE TIMELINE

Hailstorm

2020-07-11

Flooding

Snowmelt, Heavy Rain, Ice Jams

2011-06-09

Hailstorm

2011-06-09

Hailstorm

2011-03-22

Flooding

Heavy Rain And Snow

2011-03-07

Flooding

Dam Failure, Heavy Rain

2010-07-25

Flooding

Heavy Rain Snowmelt Dam B

2010-03-10

Hailstorm

2009-02-26

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Flooding

Heavy Rain

2007-08-16

Flooding

1990-08-18

Tornado

1986-06-29

Hailstorm

1986-05-09

Tornado

1984-06-11

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