Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Adel’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adel gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #112 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1991.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Adel faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Adel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adel, and Adel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #112 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adel’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Adel has more expected damage per building than 80% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Adel: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adel flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adel, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $42K
- The Storm3 claims · $16K
Adel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adel
Disasters that paid out in Adel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms$63K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$98K to the City of Adel for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$33K to the City of Adel for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$125K to the City of Adel for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Dallas County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Adel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adel archive →Get ready for what Adel faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Adel
Is Adel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adel has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #112 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Adel since 1991, $74K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Adel in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Dallas County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adel’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Adel?
By FEMA money that reached Adel, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 20 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $125K to the City of Adel for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $42K.
Is Adel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Adel’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adel’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.