Photo: ArtisticAbode · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Cedar Rapids’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Rapids gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #58 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 898 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 Rapids’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Rapids, and Cedar Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #58 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedar Rapids’ residents live in 43 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 Rapids has less expected damage per building than 59% of Iowa towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Cedar Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 76% (#97 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $45.0M, is the 269th largest of those 400.
Does Cedar Rapids flood? Yes: 898 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedar Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 13.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm215 claims · $25.9M
- The Midwest Flooding71 claims · $411K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $5K
Cedar Rapids is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Linn County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cedar Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms10,204 households applied for aid$6.4M aid approved$53.7M to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$6.3M to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs114 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs106 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$487K to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6,995 households applied for aid$56.5M aid approved$286M to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs535 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$495K to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$381K to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$26K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$223K to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$192K to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Linn County has had 20 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 Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Rapids archive →Cedar Rapids and its neighbors
Cedar Rapids is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Robins | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cedar Rapids | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| Fairfax | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Marion | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Bertram | — | 239 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Rapids 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.
- Cedar Rapids residents get 20% 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 Rapids
Is Cedar Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #58 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedar Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 898 claims in Cedar Rapids since 1979, $64.1M in all, or 13.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (215).
Is Cedar Rapids 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Rapids, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 6,995 households applied for aid, $56.5M approved, and $286M to the City of Cedar Rapids for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 215 paid, $25.9M.
Is Cedar Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Cedar Rapids’ rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Rapids’ 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.