Clusters of severe thunderstorms generated by an approaching cold front affected part of northeast Iowa during the afternoon and early evening of July 24. Reports of hail up to 2 inches in diameter were common from storm spotters, law enforcement officials and the public, with a report of close to softball size hail near Ossian (Winneshiek County). In addition, wind gusts between 55 and 65 mph occurred. Crop damage due to the large hail was estimated in the millions of dollars.
Two sets of storms about five hours apart hit Fayette and Winneshiek Counties exceptionally hard with hail damage to buildings and many corn and bean fields stripped clean.  In Fayette County, 250,000 acres were impacted with a total loss of 35,000 acres.  In Winneshiek County, loss was estimated at 30,000 acres.  Total damage costs combined with Fayette and Winneshiek Counties could have reached $169 million.  The Farm Service Agency director said both counties were decimated by the storm damage.
In Allamakee County, 7,400 acres were affected with an estimated $1 million in damage.
In Clayton County, 47,000 acres were hit with $10 million in damage.
Howard County had 36,000 acres impacted, with a total loss of 10,000 acres and an estimated damage cost of $11 million.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:22:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Public

Tree limbs were also reported down.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:20:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wind gusts were measured at 40 mph in town. Hail broke windows in town and caused considerable damage to crops. Rainfall totaled 0.47 inches.

Hail in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:35:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRESCO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail was accompanied with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, which damaged crops.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:20:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASTALIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 80.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail was reported on a family farm along the county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:04:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Trees were snapped, which were 12 to 18 inches in diameter.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:44:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELDORADO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:55:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELDORADO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.10M
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Public

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:36:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASTALIA
Magnitude: 4.25 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Public

This was the second round of large hail to fall in five hours, damaging many of the same fields and properties.

Hail in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:19:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIME SPGS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Public

There were also strong winds in addition to the hail.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:45:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIDGEWAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 8.00K
Reported by: Public

Most of the hail was penny-sized, with very strong winds.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:15:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSSIAN
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:15:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FESTINA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:55:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIDGEWAY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A mobile home was pushed off its foundation, but the home did not roll over and no injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 18:03:00 to 24-JUL-09 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: OELWEIN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A one foot diameter tree was knocked down. There was flooding on First Avenue as well.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:33:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASTALIA
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 964.00K
Crop damage: 1.40M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Large hail occurred along Highway W42 going into Fayette County.

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:00:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHURCH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:26:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT ATKINSON
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 810.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:55:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: VOLGA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:00:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VOLGA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 111.00K
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Public

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 17:37:00 to 24-JUL-09 17:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Large hail was reported along Highway 150.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 17:54:00 to 24-JUL-09 17:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: OELWEIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 35.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:03:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail the size of golf balls was reported along Highway 52.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:06:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:04:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 900.00K
Crop damage: 1.80M
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail lasted approximately 10 minutes and broke windows and damaged siding.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:43:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIDGEWAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 35.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail the size of dimes occurred with strong winds.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:34:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST UNION SCOTT ARP
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong winds also occurred with the hail.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:26:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSSIAN
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 970.00K
Crop damage: 1.90M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:29:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 770.00K
Crop damage: 1.10M
Reported by: Public

This was the second round of large hail today.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:00:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 80.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail was 8 to 9 inches deep in places and crops were shredded.

Hail in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:34:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRESCO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 40.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Dime size hail combined with strong winds damaged corn fields.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:53:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLERMONT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 17:25:00 to 24-JUL-09 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Very heavy rain also occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:35:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARPERS FERRY
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:31:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEXFORD
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:27:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONAIR
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 11:30:00 to 24-JUL-09 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRESCO MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were down all of over town and there were power outages. A woman was reportedly injured when a tree may have fallen on her in a park. Heavy rain and street flooding was also reported.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 17:55:00 to 24-JUL-09 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTGATE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 60.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 14:57:00 to 24-JUL-09 14:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ALBIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:19:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHESTER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Public

This was the second round of one inch hail this afternoon.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 18:13:00 to 24-JUL-09 18:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: OELWEIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

This report was relayed from KWWL television station.

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:05:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 7.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Thunderstorm Wind in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:06:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST LUCAS
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 31.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Ash trees nearly 2 feet in diameter were blown down.  One landed on a chicken house.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 17:20:00 to 24-JUL-09 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGHLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:20:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Some street flooding was reported as well.

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 14:10:00 to 24-JUL-09 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANSING
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:00:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Three inch diameter branches were also knocked down.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:17:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 120.00K
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Public

Strong winds were also reported.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:23:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 14:54:00 to 24-JUL-09 14:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEXFORD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 16:00:00 to 24-JUL-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:48:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELGIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 60.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail stripped plants and covered the ground.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:18:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:20:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEXFORD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 15:33:00 to 24-JUL-09 15:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHURCH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Strong winds were also reported in Harpers Ferry.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:05:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: VOLGA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 40.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail was reported to have covered the ground.

Hail in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 12:36:00 to 24-JUL-09 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLERMONT VLY ARPT
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 2.80M
Reported by: Public

Windows were broken in a house. Hail size was estimated.

Hail in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-JUL-09 13:10:00 to 24-JUL-09 13:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEDERVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail did not last long.