FEMA puts Asbury’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asbury gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #12 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2024.
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 Asbury 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
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 Asbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Asbury, and Asbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #12 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Asbury’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, Asbury has less expected damage per building than 92% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Asbury: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Asbury flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Asbury, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Asbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dubuque County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Asbury
Disasters that paid out in Asbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Asbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$41K to the City of Asbury for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Asbury for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$51K to the City of Asbury for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Asbury for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$11K to the City of Asbury for repairs
Dubuque County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Asbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Asbury archive →Asbury and its neighbors
Asbury has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dubuque | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Asbury 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.
- 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 Asbury
Is Asbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asbury has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #12 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Asbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Asbury since 2024, $133K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Asbury 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 Dubuque County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Asbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Asbury’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 Asbury?
By FEMA money that reached Asbury, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 3 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $51K to the City of Asbury for repairs.
Is Asbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Asbury’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Asbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Asbury’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.