Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cherokee than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherokee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #119 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 126 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 Cherokee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cherokee 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 Cherokee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cherokee, and Cherokee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #119 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cherokee’s residents live in 2 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, Cherokee has more expected damage per building than 85% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Cherokee: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cherokee flood? Yes: 126 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cherokee, from FEMA’s records: 53.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding14 claims · $667K
- The Midwest Flooding14 claims · $65K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding7 claims · $73K
Cherokee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cherokee
Disasters that paid out in Cherokee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cherokee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes213 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$8.3M to the City of Cherokee for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Cherokee for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$210K to the City of Cherokee for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$45K to the City of Cherokee for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$160K to the City of Cherokee for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes286 households applied for aid$386K aid approved$238K to the City of Cherokee for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$16K to the City of Cherokee for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Cherokee for repairs
- 2007Snow$12K to the City of Cherokee for repairs
Cherokee County has had 20 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 Cherokee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cherokee archive →Get ready for what Cherokee 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cherokee
Is Cherokee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherokee has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #119 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cherokee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 126 claims in Cherokee since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 53.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (14).
Is Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cherokee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cherokee’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 Cherokee?
By FEMA money that reached Cherokee, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 213 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $8.3M to the City of Cherokee for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 14 paid, $667K.
Is Cherokee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Cherokee’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cherokee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cherokee’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.