Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Audubon than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Audubon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1990.
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 Audubon 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
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 Audubon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Audubon, and Audubon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Audubon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Audubon: $911K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Audubon flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Audubon, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $11K
6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Audubon
Disasters that paid out in Audubon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Audubon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$5K to the City of Audubon for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Audubon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes20 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$31K to the City of Audubon for repairs
- 2007Snow$10K to the City of Audubon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$33K to the City of Audubon for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Audubon 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 Audubon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Audubon archive →Get ready for what Audubon 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.
- 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 Audubon
Is Audubon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Audubon has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Audubon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Audubon since 1990, $110K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Audubon 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.
How much is flood insurance in Audubon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Audubon’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 Audubon?
By FEMA money that reached Audubon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 15 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $33K to the City of Audubon for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Audubon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Audubon’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Audubon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Audubon’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.