Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Clarinda faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarinda gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #50 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tornadoes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Clarinda 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
Strong wind
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 Clarinda’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarinda, and Clarinda’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #50 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarinda’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, Clarinda has less expected damage per building than 65% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Clarinda: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarinda flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarinda, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clarinda isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Page County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarinda
Disasters that paid out in Clarinda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarinda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Clarinda for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding80 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$27K to the City of Clarinda for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$29K to the City of Clarinda for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes38 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$90K to the City of Clarinda for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Page County has had 13 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 Clarinda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarinda archive →Get ready for what Clarinda 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Clarinda
Is Clarinda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarinda has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #50 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tornadoes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarinda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clarinda since 2008, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clarinda 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 Page County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clarinda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarinda’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 Clarinda?
By FEMA money that reached Clarinda, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 80 households applied for aid, $132K approved, and $27K to the City of Clarinda for repairs.
Is Clarinda at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Clarinda’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarinda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarinda’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.