Photo: Dirk · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Dubuque faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dubuque gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #69 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1999.
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 Dubuque’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dubuque 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
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 Dubuque’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dubuque, and Dubuque’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #69 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dubuque’s residents live in 21 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, Dubuque has less expected damage per building than 51% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.0M a year in losses across Dubuque: $13.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dubuque flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dubuque, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms5 claims · $110K
Dubuque isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dubuque County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dubuque
Disasters that paid out in Dubuque itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dubuque), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$87K to the City of Dubuque for repairs
- 2023Flooding$664K to the City of Dubuque for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$30K to the City of Dubuque for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$835K to the City of Dubuque for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes238 households applied for aid$317K aid approved$250K to the City of Dubuque for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding93 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$234K to the City of Dubuque for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$327K to the City of Dubuque for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$376K to the City of Dubuque for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$132K to the City of Dubuque for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$513K to the City of Dubuque for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Dubuque County has had 18 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 Dubuque after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dubuque archive →Dubuque and its neighbors
Dubuque is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Jamestown | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dunleith Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dubuque | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Sageville | — | 88 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 Dubuque 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.
- 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 Dubuque
Is Dubuque at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dubuque has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #69 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dubuque flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Dubuque since 1999, $193K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (5).
Is Dubuque 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 Dubuque County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dubuque?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dubuque’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 Dubuque?
By FEMA money that reached Dubuque, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $835K to the City of Dubuque for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 5 paid, $110K.
Is Dubuque at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Dubuque’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dubuque.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dubuque’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.