Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0DeWitt’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeWitt gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #84 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 DeWitt 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 DeWitt’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeWitt, and DeWitt’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #84 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of DeWitt’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, DeWitt has more expected damage per building than 60% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across DeWitt: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeWitt flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeWitt, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
DeWitt 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeWitt
Disasters that paid out in DeWitt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeWitt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms4 households applied for aid$106K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the City of DeWitt for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$16K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$19K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
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 DeWitt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeWitt archive →Get ready for what DeWitt 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 DeWitt
Is DeWitt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeWitt has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #84 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does DeWitt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in DeWitt since 2013, $5K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is DeWitt 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 DeWitt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeWitt’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 DeWitt?
By FEMA money that reached DeWitt, Severe Storms (2020): 4 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $106K to the City of DeWitt for repairs.
Is DeWitt at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and DeWitt’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeWitt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeWitt’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.