Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Cascade’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cascade gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2002.
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 Cascade 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 Cascade’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cascade, and Cascade’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cascade’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Cascade: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cascade flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cascade, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $561
Cascade 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 Cascade
Disasters that paid out in Cascade itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cascade), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$7K to the City of Cascade for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$78K to the City of Cascade for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$102K to the City of Cascade for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$44K to the City of Cascade 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 Cascade after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cascade archive →Get ready for what Cascade 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 Cascade
Is Cascade at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cascade has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cascade flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cascade since 2002, $7K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Cascade 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 Cascade?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cascade’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 Cascade?
By FEMA money that reached Cascade, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $102K to the City of Cascade for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $561.
Is Cascade at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cascade’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cascade.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cascade’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.