Photo: Kevin Schuchmann · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Anamosa faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anamosa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #133 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1999.
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 Anamosa 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Anamosa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anamosa, and Anamosa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #133 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anamosa’s residents live in 4 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, Anamosa has more expected damage per building than 95% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Anamosa: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Anamosa flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anamosa, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $15K
Anamosa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anamosa
Disasters that paid out in Anamosa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anamosa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms$156K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$241K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$50K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$37K to the City of Anamosa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding103 households applied for aid$298K aid approved$3.5M to the City of Anamosa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$6K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$52K to the City of Anamosa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$114K to the City of Anamosa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$48K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$46K to the City of Anamosa for repairs
Jones County has had 19 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 Anamosa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anamosa archive →Get ready for what Anamosa 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Anamosa
Is Anamosa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anamosa has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #133 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anamosa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Anamosa since 1999, $94K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Anamosa 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 Jones County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anamosa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Anamosa’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 Anamosa?
By FEMA money that reached Anamosa, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 103 households applied for aid, $298K approved, and $3.5M to the City of Anamosa for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Anamosa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Anamosa’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anamosa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anamosa’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.