Photo: Bill Whittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Clear Lake’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clear Lake gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #77 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clear Lake, and Clear Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #77 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clear Lake’s residents live in 3 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, Clear Lake has more expected damage per building than 55% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Clear Lake: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clear Lake flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clear Lake, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $3K
- Tropical Storm Erin1 claim · $24K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $18K
Clear Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cerro Gordo County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clear Lake
Disasters that paid out in Clear Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clear Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding70 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$22K to the City of Clear Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Cerro Gordo County has had 12 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 Clear Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clear Lake archive →Get ready for what Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake
Is Clear Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clear Lake has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #77 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clear Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Clear Lake since 1993, $78K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Clear Lake 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 Cerro Gordo County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clear Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clear Lake’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 Clear Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Clear Lake, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 70 households applied for aid, $53K approved, and $22K to the City of Clear Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Clear Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Clear Lake’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clear Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clear Lake’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.