Dunkerton Bridge · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0Storms, floods and disasters in Dunkerton
Dunkerton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Dunkerton has 821 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1993.
What Dunkerton 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
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.
Does Dunkerton flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dunkerton, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $349
Dunkerton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Black Hawk County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dunkerton
Disasters that paid out in Dunkerton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dunkerton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$11K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$15K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$17K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$172K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs
Black Hawk 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 Dunkerton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dunkerton archive →Get ready for what Dunkerton 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.
- 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 Dunkerton
Does Dunkerton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Dunkerton since 1993, $610K in all. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Dunkerton 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 Black Hawk County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dunkerton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dunkerton’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 Dunkerton?
By FEMA money that reached Dunkerton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (1999): $172K to the City of Dunkerton for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $349.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dunkerton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dunkerton’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.