Iowa Emergency Preparedness Guide 2026

The Hawkeye State's gentle rolling farmland hides a violent meteorological personality. Iowa sits where warm Gulf air collides with cold Canadian air, creating severe weather that can level cities in minutes. The August 2020 derecho—a storm most Americans had never heard of—caused more damage to Iowa than most hurricanes cause to coastal states. Add tornadoes, catastrophic flooding, and brutal winters, and Iowa becomes one of America's most disaster-prone states. Yet Iowans endure with characteristic Midwestern resilience, rebuilding after each disaster. That resilience starts with preparation.

Iowa's Year-Round Hazard Profile

Iowa's position in America's heartland exposes it to disasters in every season. Spring brings tornadoes as warm and cold air masses battle across the state. Summer delivers devastating thunderstorms, including the rare but catastrophic derechos that can cause hurricane-level damage hundreds of miles from any ocean. Rivers swell with snowmelt and rain, flooding agricultural land and cities alike.

Fall offers brief respite before winter's onslaught. Iowa winters are serious—weeks of subzero temperatures, blizzards that strand travelers, and ice storms that collapse power infrastructure. The state's rural character means many residents are miles from help when disaster strikes.

Understanding Iowa's full spectrum of hazards is essential for comprehensive preparation.

Primary Disaster Threats

Derechos: Iowa's Hidden Hurricane

Before August 10, 2020, most Iowans had never heard of a derecho (pronounced "deh-RAY-cho"). After that day, no Iowan would ever forget the term. A derecho is an organized line of severe thunderstorms with sustained straight-line winds exceeding 58 mph for hundreds of miles. The 2020 derecho had sustained winds exceeding 100 mph—equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane—as it raced across Iowa in just 45 minutes.

The destruction was staggering. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, 90% of trees were destroyed. Buildings collapsed. Windows imploded. Ten million acres of crops—43% of Iowa's corn and soybean production—were flattened. Power was out for weeks in some areas. Total damage exceeded $11 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in American history.

Derechos don't occur every year, but when they do, the destruction rivals or exceeds tornadoes. The June 1998 derecho killed 2 people in Iowa and caused $130 million in damage. The 2020 event proved these storms can be even more catastrophic.

Tornadoes: Springtime Terror

Iowa averages 48 tornadoes per year, placing it among the top 10 states nationally. The tornado season peaks in May and June but extends from March through November. Iowa tornadoes tend to occur during daylight hours, providing better visibility than nighttime storms in Dixie Alley, but they can still be hidden by rain and terrain.

The Parkersburg tornado of May 25, 2008 demonstrated Iowa's vulnerability to violent tornadoes. The EF-5 tornado killed 9 people and destroyed 222 homes in a town of just 1,900 residents. With winds exceeding 200 mph, the tornado obliterated well-built homes to their foundations.

Iowa's relatively flat terrain allows tornadoes to be visible from great distances on clear days, but the state's many trees, hills in the northeast, and storm-generated rain can obscure approaching twisters. A NOAA weather radio remains essential.

Flooding: River and Flash

Iowa's two mighty river borders—the Mississippi to the east and Missouri to the west—plus interior rivers like the Des Moines, Cedar, and Iowa rivers create flood risk across the state. The 1993 Great Flood submerged towns across Iowa, caused billions in damage, and remains the costliest flood in U.S. history when adjusted for inflation.

More recently, the 2008 floods devastated Cedar Rapids when the Cedar River crested at over 31 feet—11 feet above flood stage. Downtown Cedar Rapids was underwater. Over 5,000 homes were destroyed. The flood caused $5.4 billion in damage in Iowa alone.

Flash flooding poses immediate danger during Iowa's intense summer thunderstorms. The state's agricultural drainage systems, while essential for farming, can rapidly channel water into streams and rivers. Low-water crossings and underpasses become death traps within minutes.

Winter Storms: Blizzards and Ice

Iowa winters are no joke. The state experiences genuine Arctic conditions when polar vortex events push temperatures to -20°F or below, with wind chills reaching -50°F. At these temperatures, exposed skin suffers frostbite in minutes.

Blizzards regularly shut down the state. The December 2009 blizzard dumped up to 15 inches of snow with 40 mph winds, creating drifts that buried vehicles. More dangerous than snow alone are ice storms that coat everything in ice, snapping power lines and tree branches. Power outages during extreme cold create life-threatening situations.

Regional Preparedness

Eastern Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque)

River flooding from the Mississippi and Cedar rivers is the primary concern. The 2008 Cedar Rapids flood demonstrated the region's vulnerability. Flash flooding in the hillier terrain of northeast Iowa poses additional risk. Winter storms can be intensified by moisture from the Great Lakes.

Central Iowa (Des Moines, Ames)

The capital region faces tornado risk plus flooding from the Des Moines River. Urban flash flooding affects developed areas. The 2020 derecho struck central Iowa with particular intensity.

Western Iowa (Sioux City, Council Bluffs)

Missouri River flooding affects the western border. The region tends to experience more severe winter weather and drought conditions than eastern Iowa. Tornadoes are frequent across western Iowa's open terrain.

Building Your Iowa Emergency Kit

Severe Storm Supplies

• NOAA weather radio with SAME programming
• Helmets for all family members
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle for signaling
• Sturdy shoes and gloves

General Emergency Supplies

• Water: one gallon per person per day, 7-day supply
• Non-perishable food for 7 days
• Manual can opener
• Medications with extra supply
• Cash in small bills
• Portable phone chargers

Winter Storm Supplies

• Propane heater rated for indoor use
• Extra propane cylinders
• Cold-weather sleeping bags
• Extra blankets and warm clothing
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Ice melt and snow shovel
• Vehicle emergency kit with blankets, food, sand

Emergency Resources

• Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management: (515) 725-3231
• National Weather Service Des Moines: (515) 270-2614
• Iowa 511 Road Conditions: 511 or 511ia.org
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Red Cross Iowa: (515) 243-7681

Taking Action Now

Iowa's agricultural heartland faces an array of natural threats that demand year-round vigilance. The 2020 derecho reminded Iowans that devastating storms can strike with almost no warning. Preparation is the only reliable protection.

1. Purchase and program a NOAA weather radio
2. Identify your tornado/severe storm shelter location
3. Build emergency kits using our Emergency Kit Calculator
4. Calculate water needs with our Water Storage Calculator
5. Prepare winter vehicle emergency supplies
6. Know your flood risk and evacuation routes
7. Have backup heat sources ready for winter power outages