Photo: American007 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Coralville than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coralville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #127 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then tornadoes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 99 claims here since 1982.
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 Coralville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Coralville 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
Hail
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 Coralville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coralville, and Coralville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #127 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coralville’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, Coralville has more expected damage per building than 91% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.7M a year in losses across Coralville: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coralville flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coralville, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding39 claims · $2.6M
- The Storm7 claims · $1.1M
Coralville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coralville
Disasters that paid out in Coralville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coralville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms10 households applied for aid$131K to the City of Coralville for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$93K to the City of Coralville for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$114K to the City of Coralville for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$278K to the City of Coralville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding508 households applied for aid$935K aid approved$7.4M to the City of Coralville for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$43K to the City of Coralville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$39K to the City of Coralville for repairs
Johnson County has had 21 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 Coralville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coralville archive →Coralville and its neighbors
Coralville is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Liberty | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Tiffin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Coralville | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Iowa City | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 211 |
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 Coralville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coralville residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Coralville
Is Coralville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coralville has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #127 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and tornadoes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coralville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in Coralville since 1982, $12.4M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (39).
Is Coralville 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 Johnson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coralville?
Coralville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Coralville?
By FEMA money that reached Coralville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 508 households applied for aid, $935K approved, and $7.4M to the City of Coralville for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 39 paid, $2.6M.
Is Coralville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Coralville’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coralville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coralville’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.