Photo: PopePompus · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bondurant faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bondurant gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #46 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 stands out about Bondurant’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bondurant 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 Bondurant’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bondurant, and Bondurant’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #46 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bondurant’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bondurant has less expected damage per building than 68% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Bondurant: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bondurant flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bondurant, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bondurant isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bondurant
Disasters that paid out in Bondurant itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bondurant), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms28 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$174K to the City of Bondurant for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$78K to the City of Bondurant for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes99 households applied for aid$173K aid approved$59K to the City of Bondurant for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding52 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$47K to the City of Bondurant for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Bondurant for repairs
Polk County has had 18 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 Bondurant after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bondurant archive →Bondurant and its neighbors
Bondurant is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bondurant | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Bondurant 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 Bondurant
Is Bondurant at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bondurant has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #46 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (17%). 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 Bondurant flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Bondurant since 2018, $71K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bondurant 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 Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bondurant?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bondurant’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 Bondurant?
By FEMA money that reached Bondurant, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 99 households applied for aid, $173K approved, and $59K to the City of Bondurant for repairs.
Is Bondurant at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bondurant’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bondurant.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bondurant’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.