Photo: Kepper66 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Davenport as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davenport gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #73 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 898 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 Davenport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Davenport 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
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 Davenport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Davenport, and Davenport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 9% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B #73 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Davenport’s residents live in 34 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, Davenport has more expected damage per building than 52% of Iowa towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Davenport has lower expected damage per building than 69% (#126 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $34.4M, is the 329th largest of those 400.
Does Davenport flood? Yes: 898 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Davenport, from FEMA’s records: 19.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding75 claims · $2.2M
- The Midwest Flooding40 claims · $1.3M
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding15 claims · $708K
Davenport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Scott County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Davenport
Disasters that paid out in Davenport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Davenport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes160 households applied for aid$284K aid approved$1.0M to the City of Davenport for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Flooding$1.4M to the City of Davenport for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms1,267 households applied for aid$348K aid approved$2.2M to the City of Davenport for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding184 households applied for aid$253K aid approved$3.2M to the City of Davenport for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding373 households applied for aid$513K aid approved$1.9M to the City of Davenport for repairs172 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$1.8M to the City of Davenport for repairs99 flood claims paid that year
Scott County has had 17 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 Davenport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Davenport archive →Davenport and its neighbors
Davenport is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldridge | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Moline Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Davenport | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| South Rock Island Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Buffalo | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Bettendorf | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 304 |
| Blackhawk Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 201 |
| Andalusia Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Rock Island Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rock Island Arsenal | — | 470 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 Davenport 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.
- 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.
- Davenport 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 Davenport
Is Davenport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davenport has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #73 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Davenport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 898 claims in Davenport since 1979, $19.3M in all, or 19.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 104 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (75).
Is Davenport 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 Scott County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Davenport?
Davenport 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 Davenport?
By FEMA money that reached Davenport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 184 households applied for aid, $253K approved, and $3.2M to the City of Davenport for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 75 paid, $2.2M.
Is Davenport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Davenport’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Davenport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Davenport’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.