Photo: Ashton B Crew · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Cambridge
Cambridge isn’t graded for hazard risk: Cambridge has 803 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
What Cambridge 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.
Does Cambridge flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm4 claims · $23K
Cambridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Story County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cambridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms20 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$17K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes45 households applied for aid$180K aid approved$13K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$20K to the City of Cambridge for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$2K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
Story 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 Cambridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge archive →Get ready for what Cambridge 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 Cambridge
Does Cambridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Cambridge since 2008, $29K in all. The most claims came from Storm (4).
Is Cambridge 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 Story County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cambridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cambridge’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 Cambridge?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 45 households applied for aid, $180K approved, and $13K to the City of Cambridge for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 4 paid, $23K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge’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.