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Spencer, IA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

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The chance of earthquake damage in Spencer is about the same as Iowa average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Spencer is lower than Iowa average and is much higher than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake Index Volcano Index Tornado Index Other Weather Extremes Events Volcanos Nearby Historical Earthquake Events Historical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #271

Spencer, IA	0.00
Iowa	0.00
U.S.	1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #1

Spencer, IA	0.0000
Iowa	0.0000
U.S.	0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #676

Spencer, IA	216.80
Iowa	236.74
U.S.	136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 3,094 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Spencer, IA were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count
Avalanche:	0	Blizzard:	46	Cold:	21	Dense Fog:	0	Drought:	11
Dust Storm:	0	Flood:	303	Hail:	1,337	Heat:	4	Heavy Snow:	42
High Surf:	0	Hurricane:	0	Ice Storm:	19	Landslide:	0	Strong Wind:	74
Thunderstorm Winds:	1,025	Tropical Storm:	0	Wildfire:	0	Winter Storm:	48	Winter Weather:	57
Other:	107

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Spencer, IA.

Historical Earthquake Events

No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Spencer, IA.

No historical earthquake events found in or near Spencer, IA.

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 77 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Spencer, IA.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Start Lat/Log	End Lat/Log	Length	Width	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage	Crop Damage	Affected County
0.2	1980-09-20	3	43°09'N / 95°09'W		1.50 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Clay
0.2	1984-06-07	2	43°09'N / 95°09'W		2.00 Miles	77 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Clay
5.2	2008-06-11	2	43°00'N / 95°16'W	43°09'N / 95°06'W	13.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	300K	0K	Clay
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed or heavily damaged numerous outbuildings on at least 8 affected farmsteads, with damaged buildings including several large sheds. The tornado damaged numerous grain bins, most of which were carried off their foundations, with some being carried as much as a half mile. The ornado also overturned a camper, blew the top off a silo, destroyed a garage, broke windows on a house, and caused considerable damage to trees, power poles, and power lines. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced several tornadoes, along with large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding in northwest Iowa during the late afternoon and early evening of June 11th.
7.8	1959-05-28	2	43°12'N / 95°01'W		1.00 Mile	150 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Clay
7.9	1975-06-04	2	43°02'N / 95°09'W				0	0	3K	0	Clay
9.2	1991-04-26	2	43°16'N / 95°14'W		18.00 Miles	60 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Dickinson
9.6	2004-06-11	2	43°08'N / 95°23'W	43°12'N / 95°18'W	5.50 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	500K	0	Clay
		Brief Description: A tornado destroyed a hog barn, killing ten hogs, destroyed a greenhouse, destroyed a barn, outbuildings, a machine shed and a garage, and damaged several other farm structures including a horse barn. Several horses were injured. At least two houses were damaged, with windows blown out. Several vehicles were also damaged. Numerous power lines and trees were blown down. The tornado also damaged crops.
10.4	1954-04-26	2	43°03'N / 95°18'W	42°58'N / 95°10'W	8.40 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Clay
13.0	1971-10-01	3	43°02'N / 95°29'W	43°09'N / 95°19'W	11.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	250K	0	O'brien
14.2	1959-05-28	2	43°10'N / 94°54'W	43°12'N / 94°51'W	2.30 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Palo Alto
15.1	2004-06-11	3	42°55'N / 95°03'W	42°59'N / 95°00'W	6.00 Miles	400 Yards	0	0	50K	0	Clay
		Brief Description: A large cone shaped tornado tore a steel bridge from a road. The tornado raised a large debris cloud as it moved over open country, causing damage to crops and power lines. The tornado moved into Clay County after forming just south of the County Line.
16.1	1976-06-14	2	43°09'N / 94°54'W	43°15'N / 94°47'W	8.60 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Palo Alto
17.7	1960-07-11	2	43°24'N / 95°06'W		1.00 Mile	300 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Dickinson
18.7	1968-06-13	2	43°23'N / 95°06'W	43°26'N / 95°01'W	4.90 Miles	200 Yards	0	17	2.5M	0	Dickinson
18.8	1990-08-18	2	43°28'N / 95°16'W	43°22'N / 95°08'W	8.50 Miles	63 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Dickinson
19.5	1971-05-31	3	43°22'N / 95°19'W	43°28'N / 95°13'W	8.00 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Dickinson
20.7	2008-06-11	2	42°58'N / 95°32'W	43°03'N / 95°30'W	6.00 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	200K	0K	O'brien
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed several outbuildings, moved a 1.5 ton wagon, heavily damaged a machine shed containing farm equipment and also damaged a nearby house on the same farm. Also destroyed another machine shed at a different location, destroyed a pole barn, damaged a grain bin, broke or blew down several power poles and power lines, and caused tree damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced several tornadoes, along with large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding in northwest Iowa during the late afternoon and early evening of June 11th.
22.6	1981-06-14	2	43°27'N / 95°23'W	43°29'N / 95°07'W	13.30 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Dickinson
23.3	1980-07-19	2	43°01'N / 95°37'W	43°04'N / 95°34'W	3.30 Miles	160 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	O'brien
23.8	1966-07-09	2	43°26'N / 95°25'W		1.00 Mile	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Osceola
23.9	1968-06-13	2	43°23'N / 95°30'W				0	0	250K	0	Osceola
24.0	1971-05-31	3	43°20'N / 95°32'W	43°27'N / 95°27'W	8.60 Miles	250 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Osceola
24.3	1981-06-14	2	43°29'N / 95°23'W	43°30'N / 95°07'W	13.10 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Dickinson
24.6	1964-05-08	2	43°26'N / 95°26'W	43°29'N / 95°21'W	5.10 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Osceola
25.3	1981-06-14	2	43°25'N / 95°33'W	43°27'N / 95°23'W	8.30 Miles	1533 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Osceola
25.5	1984-06-07	2	42°51'N / 94°51'W	42°55'N / 94°45'W	10.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	2.5M	0	Pocahontas
26.0	1965-05-05	2	43°10'N / 95°29'W	43°24'N / 95°47'W	21.80 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	O'brien
26.7	1981-06-14	2	43°26'N / 95°33'W	43°29'N / 95°23'W	8.80 Miles	1533 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Osceola
27.7	1957-06-16	2	42°30'N / 95°24'W	43°00'N / 94°45'W	47.60 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Ida
27.7	1976-06-14	2	43°15'N / 94°47'W	43°29'N / 94°36'W	18.30 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Emmet
28.1	1967-04-30	2	43°07'N / 94°40'W	43°18'N / 94°32'W	14.00 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Palo Alto
28.4	1984-06-07	2	42°55'N / 94°45'W	43°02'N / 94°32'W	15.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	2.5M	0	Palo Alto
28.6	1971-05-31	3	43°13'N / 95°57'W	43°30'N / 95°20'W	36.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	0K	0	O'brien
28.8	1963-03-16	2	42°47'N / 95°26'W		2.00 Miles	250 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Cherokee
28.9	1967-04-30	2	43°23'N / 94°41'W	43°29'N / 94°47'W	8.20 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Emmet
29.7	1971-05-31	3	43°30'N / 95°20'W	43°38'N / 95°14'W	10.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Jackson
30.1	1967-04-30	2	43°25'N / 94°41'W		1.00 Mile	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Emmet
30.7	1980-07-19	2	42°50'N / 94°50'W	43°01'N / 94°25'W	24.40 Miles	80 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Palo Alto
31.6	1984-06-07	2	42°50'N / 94°42'W	42°56'N / 94°35'W	8.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Pocahontas
32.6	1984-06-07	2	42°39'N / 95°12'W	42°42'N / 95°09'W	4.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	3	2.5M	0	Buena Vista
32.8	1953-06-07	2	42°50'N / 94°42'W	43°00'N / 94°28'W	16.20 Miles	833 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Pocahontas
32.9	1952-06-23	4	42°45'N / 95°51'W	42°54'N / 95°25'W	24.10 Miles	400 Yards	0	4	2.5M	0	Cherokee
33.3	1982-06-06	2	43°24'N / 95°43'W		2.00 Miles	67 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Osceola
35.3	2010-06-25	4	43°24'N / 95°51'W	43°22'N / 95°42'W	8.00 Miles	800 Yards	0	13	3.0M	0K	Osceola
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed at least two houses, injuring two people in one of them. the tornado also destroyed several garages and severely damaged several other homes, destroyed at least 4 hog confinement buildings, several barns and silos, and numerous outbuildings. The tornado destroyed three vehicles that had been parked under an Iowa Highway 60 overpass, injuring 11 people in the vehicles, and removing the engine from one of the vehicles. The tornado damaged power lines, causing power outages, and caused damage to trees and crops. The tornado also destroyed a shelter belt and severely damaged heavy farm equipment, removing the wheels from some of the vehicles. Much of the damage occurred a short distance west to south of the town of Sibley. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced tornadoes, one that caused considerable damage and at least two injuries along a 14 mile path, along with damaging winds, in northwest Iowa during the evening of June 25th.
35.3	1968-04-03	2	42°59'N / 95°49'W		0.50 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	O'brien
35.7	1958-04-01	2	42°44'N / 95°42'W	42°51'N / 95°38'W	8.30 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Cherokee
36.7	1969-08-08	2	42°37'N / 95°12'W		2.00 Miles	70 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Buena Vista
36.8	1953-06-07	2	43°00'N / 94°28'W	43°13'N / 94°23'W	15.20 Miles	500 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Palo Alto
36.8	1981-06-13	2	43°10'N / 95°53'W				0	0	3K	0	Sioux
37.2	1979-08-08	2	43°04'N / 95°53'W		0.40 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Sioux
37.4	1958-08-05	2	42°45'N / 95°10'W	42°30'N / 94°45'W	27.10 Miles	60 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Buena Vista
38.1	1977-05-04	2	43°33'N / 94°38'W				0	0	25K	0	Martin
38.9	1980-07-19	2	43°01'N / 94°25'W	43°02'N / 94°23'W			0	0	2.5M	0	Kossuth
39.6	1984-06-07	2	42°39'N / 95°44'W	42°46'N / 95°35'W	10.00 Miles	77 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Cherokee
40.1	1951-06-25	2	43°34'N / 94°46'W	43°36'N / 94°29'W	14.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Martin
40.6	1960-06-23	2	43°39'N / 94°44'W		2.00 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Martin
41.2	1991-08-07	2	42°49'N / 95°49'W	42°45'N / 95°47'W	5.00 Miles	80 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Cherokee
41.4	1984-04-26	2	42°33'N / 94°50'W	42°39'N / 94°48'W	7.00 Miles	20 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Pocahontas
41.5	2004-05-21	2	42°49'N / 94°31'W	42°49'N / 94°25'W	5.00 Miles	500 Yards	0	0	25K	5K	Pocahontas
		Brief Description: Tornado touched down in open areas east of Rolfe. It did some damage but didn't do significant damage before crossing into Humboldt County. A very unstable airmass was over Iowa and helped kick off the seasons first severe weather outbreak. At the surface a warm frontal boundary extended nearly east to west across the state and provided the focus for thunderstorm development. By the late afternoon, lifted indices were approaching -10 C. with CAPE values around 5000 J/kg over western Iowa. Surface temperatures warmed into the upper 80s with dew points in the low to mid 70s. A southwest surface wind of 15 to 25 kts pushed over the front. Northeast of the frontal boundary winds were easterly around 10 to 15 kts. Actually, the surface boundary was further enhanced by outflow from convective complexes during the day, further sharpening the contrast. Thunderstorms continued to fire along and north of the boundary through the afternoon and into the evening. This resulted in widespread flash flooding as very heavy rains fell on areas that had had significant rainfall the previous night. There were reports in north central into northeast Iowa of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall in a little more than an hours time. Major flooding took place in the Mason City area where evacuations were taking place. The thunderstorms became most intense during the afternoon into the early evening. There were several tornadoes across northeast into north central Iowa. Most were relatively brief touchdowns and were in open areas. Reports of multi-vortex tornadoes were received from Grundy County. The days most significant tornado touched down in Pocahontas County east of Rolfe and tracked into Humboldt County through the Bradgate area. The tornado damaged or destroyed over 75% of the town of Bradgate (pop 120). Tornado damage in Bradgate was very extensive impacting most of the town. Hardly a building was not impacted. Outbuildings, light structures and garages were heavily damaged or destroyed. Two homes were destroyed. Several homes were damaged ranging from minor to extensive. The Survey Team found that the majority of the damage was F1, with a few cases of F2 damage. The F2 damage was to the snapping of very large trees just west of town and the structural damage to two buildings. Nearly all of the 53 homes there reported damage with several totally destroyed. Significant widespread property damage was reported in the tornadoes path. There were several injuries in the town, the most significant being a broken leg. A police officer was reportedly hit by debris from the tornado and suffered a broken leg. According to law officials, the damage path of the tornado was 2 miles wide and about 8 miles long. Storm chasers on the scene reported the tornado itself to be one half mile wide at one point. Reports of hail were numerous through the afternoon and evening. Most of the hail was in the three quarter inch to one inch diameter range. There were a few reports of golf ball size hail from the stronger storms. Winds were not a major problem with the activity. There were spotty reports of winds to around 60 MPH, but most reports were in the 40 to 50 MPH range. One of the stronger wind reports was a 64 MPH wind gust in Tripoli in Bremer County. This gust was measured by a mesonet station there. During the mid evening hours, thunderstorms rumbled across Grundy County. Lightning struck the Sheriff's office there and destroyed a significant amount of office equipment. Damage was reported around $100,000.
41.8	1964-05-05	3	42°34'N / 96°21'W	43°11'N / 95°26'W	62.90 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Plymouth
41.9	2010-06-25	2	43°26'N / 95°57'W	43°24'N / 95°51'W	5.00 Miles	450 Yards	0	0	500K	0K	Lyon
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed two hog confinement buildings, killing about 12 hogs, numerous outbuildings, a metal farm building, tore the roof off a house and damaged at least 6 other houses, and caused damage to other farm buildings, power lines, vehicles, and trees, before moving out of Lyon County and into Osceola County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced tornadoes, one that caused considerable damage and at least two injuries along a 14 mile path, along with damaging winds, in northwest Iowa during the evening of June 25th.
42.3	1991-08-07	2	42°49'N / 95°54'W	42°49'N / 95°49'W	3.00 Miles	80 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Plymouth
42.4	1977-05-27	2	43°28'N / 95°48'W	43°37'N / 95°48'W	10.30 Miles	60 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Nobles
43.1	1953-03-21	3	43°16'N / 94°38'W	43°18'N / 94°00'W	31.80 Miles	400 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Emmet
44.3	1986-04-26	2	43°28'N / 95°56'W	43°35'N / 95°48'W	10.00 Miles	40 Yards	0	2	2.5M	0	Nobles
44.6	1968-09-22	3	43°01'N / 96°04'W	43°04'N / 95°59'W	4.70 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Sioux
44.6	1964-09-07	2	42°47'N / 95°58'W	42°47'N / 95°48'W	7.90 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Plymouth
44.8	1990-06-19	2	42°48'N / 94°32'W	42°34'N / 94°32'W	14.00 Miles	77 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Pocahontas
45.7	1976-06-14	2	43°46'N / 95°11'W	43°51'N / 95°06'W	6.40 Miles	300 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Jackson
46.0	2004-05-21	2	42°48'N / 94°26'W	42°48'N / 94°19'W	7.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	15	2.5M	10K	Humboldt
		Brief Description: Tornado intensified as it approached Bradgate. Seventy five percent of the town was damaged or destroyed by the tornado which was one half mile wide as it moved through. A very unstable airmass was over Iowa and helped kick off the seasons first severe weather outbreak. At the surface a warm frontal boundary extended nearly east to west across the state and provided the focus for thunderstorm development. By the late afternoon, lifted indices were approaching -10 C. with CAPE values around 5000 J/kg over western Iowa. Surface temperatures warmed into the upper 80s with dew points in the low to mid 70s. A southwest surface wind of 15 to 25 kts pushed over the front. Northeast of the frontal boundary winds were easterly around 10 to 15 kts. Actually, the surface boundary was further enhanced by outflow from convective complexes during the day, further sharpening the contrast. Thunderstorms continued to fire along and north of the boundary through the afternoon and into the evening. This resulted in widespread flash flooding as very heavy rains fell on areas that had had significant rainfall the previous night. There were reports in north central into northeast Iowa of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall in a little more than an hours time. Major flooding took place in the Mason City area where evacuations were taking place. The thunderstorms became most intense during the afternoon into the early evening. There were several tornadoes across northeast into north central Iowa. Most were relatively brief touchdowns and were in open areas. Reports of multi-vortex tornadoes were received from Grundy County. The days most significant tornado touched down in Pocahontas County east of Rolfe and tracked into Humboldt County through the Bradgate area. The tornado damaged or destroyed over 75% of the town of Bradgate (pop 120). Tornado damage in Bradgate was very extensive impacting most of the town. Hardly a building was not impacted. Outbuildings, light structures and garages were heavily damaged or destroyed. Two homes were destroyed. Several homes were damaged ranging from minor to extensive. The Survey Team found that the majority of the damage was F1, with a few cases of F2 damage. The F2 damage was to the snapping of very large trees just west of town and the structural damage to two buildings. Nearly all of the 53 homes there reported damage with several totally destroyed. Significant widespread property damage was reported in the tornadoes path. There were several injuries in the town, the most significant being a broken leg. A police officer was reportedly hit by debris from the tornado and suffered a broken leg. According to law officials, the damage path of the tornado was 2 miles wide and about 8 miles long. Storm chasers on the scene reported the tornado itself to be one half mile wide at one point. Reports of hail were numerous through the afternoon and evening. Most of the hail was in the three quarter inch to one inch diameter range. There were a few reports of golf ball size hail from the stronger storms. Winds were not a major problem with the activity. There were spotty reports of winds to around 60 MPH, but most reports were in the 40 to 50 MPH range. One of the stronger wind reports was a 64 MPH wind gust in Tripoli in Bremer County. This gust was measured by a mesonet station there. During the mid evening hours, thunderstorms rumbled across Grundy County. Lightning struck the Sheriff's office there and destroyed a significant amount of office equipment. Damage was reported around $100,000.
46.1	1953-06-07	3	42°33'N / 94°42'W	42°51'N / 94°15'W	30.70 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Calhoun
46.2	1986-04-26	2	43°24'N / 96°02'W	43°28'N / 95°56'W	8.50 Miles	120 Yards	1	2	2.5M	0	Lyon
46.6	1956-05-10	2	43°37'N / 95°48'W	43°42'N / 95°43'W	6.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Nobles
46.7	1984-04-26	2	42°28'N / 94°52'W	42°33'N / 94°50'W	5.00 Miles	20 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Calhoun
47.2	1979-06-28	4	42°38'N / 94°36'W	42°34'N / 94°35'W	4.10 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Pocahontas
47.4	1984-06-07	2	42°25'N / 95°35'W	42°35'N / 95°21'W	16.00 Miles	150 Yards	0	1	2.5M	0	Ida
48.4	1986-07-28	2	42°33'N / 94°41'W	42°33'N / 94°37'W	4.00 Miles	150 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Calhoun

* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.