Hazard Score
617 Catastrophes Recorded
Polk County, Iowa
11 Cities with a Population of 504,158, and 170,197 Households
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 valleys and rolling hills, which can exacerbate the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding events. The area also has a relatively flat terrain, which can lead to water pooling and increased flood risk. Historical events such as severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and flooding have been documented in the region, underscoring the need for preparedness and mitigation measures. Overall, a comprehensive natural disaster and climate risk assessment for Polk, Iowa highlights the diverse range of hazards the county faces and the importance of proactive risk management strategies.
Wildfire Risk: Very Low
Tornado Risk: Low
Hurricane Risk: Very Low
Hail Risk: Moderate
Flood Risk: Moderate
Tsunami Risk: Very Low
Earthquake Risk: Very Low
Wind Risk: Moderate
HAZARDS
84
Power Transmission Lines
0
Coastlines
78
Water Bodies
0
Fault Lines
EMERGENCY SERVICES
32
Hazard Shelters
34
Fire Stations
9
Hospitals
12
Police Stations
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Polk County, Iowa, has a population of 504,158 with a population density of 852.3 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population with 72.4% White, 5.1% Black, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3% Asian, and 6.5% Hispanic residents. The median age in Polk County is 34.7, with slightly more females than males. The average household size is 2.48, and the county has a total of 170,197 households, with a homeownership rate of 68.9%.
In comparison to other counties in Iowa, Polk County stands out as one of the most populated and diverse counties in the state. With a population of over 500,000, it is the most populous county in Iowa. The county also has a relatively high population density of 852.3 people per square mile, indicating a significant concentration of residents. Additionally, Polk County has a higher percentage of Hispanic residents compared to many other counties in Iowa, making it a more ethnically diverse area. The county also has a higher homeownership rate than the state average, with 68.9% of households being owner-occupied.
Regions
CLIMATE OVERVIEW
NATURAL CATASTROPHE TIMELINE
Hailstorm
2020-07-14
Hailstorm
2020-07-14
Hailstorm
2020-07-14
Hailstorm
2020-07-14
Hailstorm
2020-07-11
Hailstorm
2020-06-21
Tornado
2020-05-25
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Hailstorm
2019-10-01
Tornado
2019-09-21
Hailstorm
2019-07-20
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-05-16
Hailstorm
2019-04-28
Hailstorm
2019-04-28
019017
2019-03-30
Flooding
Snowmelt, Heavy Rain, Ice Jams
2019-03-13Hailstorm
2018-09-18
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-09-01
Hailstorm
2018-08-31
Tornado
2018-07-19
Tornado
2018-07-19
Tornado
2018-07-19
Hailstorm
2018-06-30
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2018-06-20Hailstorm
2018-06-06
Hailstorm
2018-06-06
Hailstorm
2018-05-28
Hailstorm
2018-05-14
Hailstorm
2018-05-01
Hailstorm
2018-05-01
Hailstorm
2017-06-28
Hailstorm
2017-06-28
Hailstorm
2017-06-28
Hailstorm
2017-06-28
Hailstorm
2017-06-28
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-06-15
Hailstorm
2017-05-17
Hailstorm
2017-05-17
Hailstorm
2017-05-17
Hailstorm
2017-05-17
Hailstorm
2016-08-28
Hailstorm
2016-04-27
Hailstorm
2016-03-30
Hailstorm
2016-03-30
Hailstorm
2016-03-30
Hailstorm
2016-03-30
Hailstorm
2016-03-30
Tornado
2015-11-11
Hailstorm
2015-07-28
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2015-04-08
Hailstorm
2014-08-20
Hailstorm
2014-07-25
Hailstorm
2014-06-30
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2014-06-10Hailstorm
2014-05-11
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-05-08
Hailstorm
2014-04-28
Hailstorm
2013-10-30
Hailstorm
2013-09-19
Hailstorm
2013-07-22
Hailstorm
2013-07-02
Hailstorm
2013-07-02
Hailstorm
2013-05-29
Hailstorm
2013-05-26
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2013-05-25Hailstorm
2013-05-20
Hailstorm
2013-05-20
Hailstorm
2013-05-20
Hailstorm
2013-05-20
Hailstorm
2013-05-20
Tornado
2013-05-19
Hailstorm
2013-05-19
Hailstorm
2013-05-19
Hailstorm
2012-09-05
Hailstorm
2012-08-08
Hailstorm
2012-08-08
Hailstorm
2012-08-08
Hailstorm
2012-08-08
Hailstorm
2012-07-25
Hailstorm
2012-05-25
Hailstorm
2012-05-25
Hailstorm
2012-05-06
Hailstorm
2012-04-14
Hailstorm
2012-04-14
Hailstorm
2012-04-14
Hailstorm
2012-04-14
Hailstorm
2012-03-29
Hailstorm
2011-06-20
Hailstorm
2011-06-19
Hailstorm
2011-06-19
Hailstorm
2011-06-14
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-09
Hailstorm
2011-06-08
Hailstorm
2011-06-08
Hailstorm
2011-06-08
Hailstorm
2011-06-08
Hailstorm
2011-05-29
Hailstorm
2011-04-19
Hailstorm
2011-04-03
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-22
Hailstorm
2011-03-21
Hailstorm
2011-03-21
Flooding
Heavy Rain And Snow
2011-03-07Hailstorm
2010-09-18
Hailstorm
2010-09-18
Hailstorm
2010-09-18
Flooding
Torrential Rain
2010-08-10Flooding
Dam Failure, Heavy Rain
2010-07-25Hailstorm
2010-05-12
Hailstorm
2010-05-02
Hailstorm
2010-05-02
Hailstorm
2010-05-02
Hailstorm
2010-04-05
Hailstorm
2010-04-05
Hailstorm
2010-04-05
Flooding
Heavy Rain Snowmelt Dam B
2010-03-10Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-07-14
Hailstorm
2009-06-18
Hailstorm
2009-06-17
Hailstorm
2009-06-17
Hailstorm
2009-06-17
Hailstorm
2009-06-17
Hailstorm
2009-06-17
Hailstorm
2009-06-07
Hailstorm
2009-02-26
Hailstorm
2009-02-26
Hailstorm
2009-02-26
Hailstorm
2009-02-26
Hailstorm
2009-02-26
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2008-12-10Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-08-04
Hailstorm
2008-07-28
Tornado
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-27
Hailstorm
2008-07-21
Hailstorm
2008-07-21
Hailstorm
2008-07-21
Hailstorm
2008-07-19
Hailstorm
2008-07-19
Hailstorm
2008-07-19
Hailstorm
2008-07-19
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-25
Hailstorm
2008-06-05
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2008-06-05Hailstorm
2008-06-03
Hailstorm
2008-06-03
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-05-25
Hailstorm
2008-04-25
Hailstorm
2008-04-22
Flooding
Rain And Snowmelt
2008-03-17Tornado
2007-10-02
Hailstorm
2007-08-20
Hailstorm
2007-08-20
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2007-08-16Hailstorm
2007-06-22
Hailstorm
2007-06-22
Flooding
Heavy Rain
2007-05-06Hailstorm
2007-04-03
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2007-03-21
Hailstorm
2006-12-11
Hailstorm
2006-06-24
Hailstorm
2006-04-18
Hailstorm
2006-04-18
Hailstorm
2006-04-11
Tornado
2006-04-02
Hailstorm
2006-04-02
Hailstorm
2006-04-02
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-30
Hailstorm
2006-03-12
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2006-03-08
Hailstorm
2005-09-08
Hailstorm
2005-09-08
Hailstorm
2005-09-08
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-06-13
Hailstorm
2005-05-18
Hailstorm
2005-05-10
Hailstorm
2005-05-10
Hailstorm
2005-05-10
Hailstorm
2005-03-30
Hailstorm
2005-03-30
Hailstorm
2005-03-06
Hailstorm
2005-02-20
Hailstorm
2005-02-20
Hailstorm
2005-02-20
Hailstorm
2005-02-20
Hailstorm
2005-02-20
Tornado
2004-09-05
Hailstorm
2004-08-01
Hailstorm
2004-06-16
Hailstorm
2004-06-16
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Hailstorm
2004-05-24
Tornado
2004-05-22
Hailstorm
2004-05-22
Hailstorm
2004-05-17
Hailstorm
2004-05-17
Hailstorm
2004-05-17
Hailstorm
2004-05-17
Hailstorm
2004-05-17
Hailstorm
2004-04-20
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2004-04-16
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-07-07
Hailstorm
2003-05-08
Hailstorm
2003-05-04
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-30
Hailstorm
2003-04-29
Hailstorm
2002-09-18
Hailstorm
2002-07-06
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-26
Hailstorm
2002-06-12
Hailstorm
2002-06-12
Hailstorm
2002-06-12
Hailstorm
2002-06-12
Tornado
2002-04-18
Tornado
2002-04-18
Hailstorm
2002-04-18
Hailstorm
2002-04-18
Hailstorm
2002-04-18
Tornado
2001-09-06
Tornado
2001-07-24
Hailstorm
2001-07-24
Hailstorm
2001-06-19
Hailstorm
2001-06-18
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-06-12
Hailstorm
2001-05-10
Hailstorm
2001-05-10
Hailstorm
2001-05-10
Tornado
2001-04-11
Hailstorm
2001-04-11
Hailstorm
2001-04-11
Hailstorm
2001-04-11
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-08
Hailstorm
2001-04-06
Hailstorm
2001-04-06
Hailstorm
2000-06-13
Hailstorm
2000-05-31
Tornado
2000-05-30
Tornado
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Hailstorm
2000-05-30
Tornado
2000-05-18
Hailstorm
2000-05-18
Hailstorm
2000-05-18
Tornado
1999-04-08
Hailstorm
1998-08-14
Hailstorm
1998-07-21
Hailstorm
1998-06-29
Hailstorm
1998-06-29
Tornado
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-05-19
Hailstorm
1998-03-30
Hailstorm
1998-03-30
Hailstorm
1997-08-16
Hailstorm
1997-07-20
Hailstorm
1997-05-16
Tornado
1997-05-12
Hailstorm
1997-05-02
Hailstorm
1996-05-24
Hailstorm
1995-07-04
Hailstorm
1995-07-04
Hailstorm
1994-04-14
Hailstorm
1994-04-14
Hailstorm
1994-04-14
Hailstorm
1992-09-09
Hailstorm
1992-09-09
Hailstorm
1992-07-02
Hailstorm
1992-04-10
Hailstorm
1991-05-14
Hailstorm
1991-04-08
Hailstorm
1991-04-08
Flooding
Heavy Rain
1990-08-18Hailstorm
1990-06-18
Tornado
1990-06-16
Tornado
1990-03-13
Hailstorm
1990-03-12
Hailstorm
1990-03-12
Hailstorm
1989-04-26
Hailstorm
1989-04-26
Hailstorm
1988-05-08
Hailstorm
1988-05-07
Hailstorm
1987-06-17
Tornado
1987-05-02
Tornado
1986-09-28
Hailstorm
1986-07-27
Tornado
1986-06-29
Tornado
1986-05-09
Hailstorm
1986-05-09
Hailstorm
1986-05-09
Hailstorm
1986-05-09
Tornado
1986-05-08
Hailstorm
1985-06-23
Hailstorm
1985-06-23
Hailstorm
1985-06-23
Hailstorm
1985-06-01
Hailstorm
1985-06-01
Tornado
1985-05-11
Tornado
1984-09-09
Tornado
1984-06-11
Tornado
1984-06-11
Tornado
1984-06-11
Hailstorm
1983-07-03
Tornado
1983-07-02
Tornado
1983-05-06
Tornado
1983-05-06
Hailstorm
1983-05-06
Tornado
1982-11-11
Hailstorm
1982-07-17
Tornado
1982-06-15
Hailstorm
1981-04-10
Hailstorm
1981-04-10
Hailstorm
1981-04-10
Hailstorm
1980-06-18
Hailstorm
1980-06-18
Hailstorm
1980-06-07
Tornado
1980-06-06
Hailstorm
1979-09-05
Hailstorm
1979-09-05
Hailstorm
1979-08-18
Tornado
1979-07-30
Tornado
1977-08-15
Hailstorm
1977-08-15
Hailstorm
1977-07-30
Hailstorm
1976-08-11
Tornado
1976-07-28
Hailstorm
1976-06-27
Hailstorm
1976-06-12
Hailstorm
1976-04-23
Hailstorm
1976-04-14
Hailstorm
1974-06-22
Tornado
1974-06-18
Hailstorm
1974-06-18
Hailstorm
1974-06-18
Hailstorm
1974-06-14
Hailstorm
1974-06-14
Hailstorm
1974-05-13
Hailstorm
1974-05-13
Hailstorm
1974-05-13
Tornado
1974-04-28
Hailstorm
1972-09-28
Hailstorm
1971-07-16
Tornado
1969-07-16
Tornado
1967-07-30
Tornado
1966-06-11
Hailstorm
1964-08-24
Tornado
1964-06-22
Hailstorm
1961-07-14
Tornado
1959-05-10
Tornado
1959-05-10
Hailstorm
1958-10-08
Tornado
1958-03-30
Hailstorm
1956-08-12
Hailstorm
1956-08-12