Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Carter Lake’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carter Lake gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #131 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carter Lake, and Carter Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #131 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Carter Lake’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, Carter Lake has more expected damage per building than 94% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Carter Lake: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carter Lake flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carter Lake, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $10K
Carter Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pottawattamie County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carter Lake
Disasters that paid out in Carter Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carter Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding9 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$569K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes20 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$35K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Pottawattamie County has had 23 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 Carter Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carter Lake archive →Carter Lake and its neighbors
Carter Lake is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| Council Bluffs | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 436 |
| Carter Lake | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake
Is Carter Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carter Lake has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #131 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Carter Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Carter Lake since 1999, $34K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Carter Lake 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 Pottawattamie County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carter Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carter Lake’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 Carter Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Carter Lake, Flooding (2011): 9 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $569K to the City of Carter Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Carter Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Carter Lake’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carter Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carter Lake’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.