Photo: Iowahwyman (Uploads) · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Clive’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clive gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #87 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1986.
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 Clive’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clive 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
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 Clive’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clive, and Clive’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #87 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clive’s residents live in 7 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, Clive has more expected damage per building than 62% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Clive: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clive flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clive, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm4 claims · $13K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Clive is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clive
Disasters that paid out in Clive itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clive), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms16 households applied for aid$172K to the City of Clive for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$59K to the City of Clive for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$88K to the City of Clive for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$70K to the City of Clive for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$33K to the City of Clive for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$7K to the City of Clive for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Clive after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clive archive →Clive and its neighbors
Clive is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Urbandale | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Waukee | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clive | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Windsor Heights | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Clive 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.
- 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.
- Clive residents get 30% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clive
Is Clive at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clive has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #87 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clive flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Clive since 1986, $3.7M in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (4).
Is Clive 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 Dallas County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clive?
Clive is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4), which takes 30% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Clive?
By FEMA money that reached Clive, Severe Storms (2020): 16 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $172K to the City of Clive for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 4 paid, $13K.
Is Clive at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Clive’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clive.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clive’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.