Photo: RifeIdeas · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cedar Falls faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Falls gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #32 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 664 claims here since 1979.
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 Cedar Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cedar Falls 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.
What’s behind Cedar Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Falls, and Cedar Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #32 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedar Falls’ residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cedar Falls has less expected damage per building than 78% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Cedar Falls: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedar Falls flood? Yes: 664 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedar Falls, from FEMA’s records: 39.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm176 claims · $11.2M
- The Midwest Flooding20 claims · $95K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding11 claims · $130K
Cedar Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Black Hawk County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Falls
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cedar Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$519K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs104 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$46K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storm$211K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding976 households applied for aid$6.9M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs190 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$58K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$34K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$263K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$59K to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs
Black Hawk County has had 17 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 Cedar Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Falls archive →Cedar Falls and its neighbors
Cedar Falls is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Cedar Falls 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.
- Cedar Falls residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cedar Falls
Is Cedar Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Falls has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #32 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedar Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 664 claims in Cedar Falls since 1979, $17.7M in all, or 39.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 76 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (176).
Is Cedar Falls 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 Black Hawk County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cedar Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Falls, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 976 households applied for aid, $6.9M approved, and $4.0M to the City of Cedar Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 176 paid, $11.2M.
Is Cedar Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Cedar Falls’ rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Falls’ 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.