WCF & N Center Point Depot and Substation · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Center Point’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Point gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #59 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
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 Center Point 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 Center Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Point, and Center Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #59 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Center Point’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, Center Point has less expected damage per building than 58% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $936K a year in losses across Center Point: $545K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Point flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center Point, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $34K
Center Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center Point
Disasters that paid out in Center Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms26 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$18K to the City of Center Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$2K to the City of Center Point for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$6K to the City of Center Point for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
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 Center Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Point archive →Get ready for what Center Point 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 Center Point
Is Center Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Point has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #59 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (21%). 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 Center Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Center Point since 2003, $81K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Center Point 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 Center Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center Point’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 Center Point?
By FEMA money that reached Center Point, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 35 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $18K to the City of Center Point for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $34K.
Is Center Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Center Point’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center Point’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.