Photo: CTJF83Talk · Public domainFor strong wind, Clinton’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #67 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 Clinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clinton 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 Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #67 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton’s residents live in 9 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, Clinton has less expected damage per building than 53% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Clinton: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding3 claims · $36K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Clinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms419 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$286K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$283K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$12K to the City of Clinton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$103K to the City of Clinton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Clinton County has had 19 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Clinton and its neighbors
Clinton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Fulton | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fulton Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Camanche | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Garden Plain Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Low Moor | — | 253 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 Clinton 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 Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #67 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Clinton since 1979, $250K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (3).
Is Clinton 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 Clinton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton’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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Severe Storms (2020): 419 households applied for aid, $110K approved, and $286K to the City of Clinton for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 3 paid, $36K.
Is Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Clinton’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.