Photo: Dirk Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dyersville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyersville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #134 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 122 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 Dyersville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dyersville 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.
What’s behind Dyersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dyersville, and Dyersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #134 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dyersville’s residents live in 3 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, Dyersville has more expected damage per building than 96% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Dyersville: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dyersville flood? Yes: 122 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dyersville, from FEMA’s records: 62.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm6 claims · $30K
Dyersville 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dyersville
Disasters that paid out in Dyersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dyersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$10K to the City of Dyersville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$72K to the City of Dyersville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$47K to the City of Dyersville for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding119 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$2.5M to the City of Dyersville for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$341K to the City of Dyersville for repairs29 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$224K to the City of Dyersville for repairs39 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 Dyersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dyersville archive →Get ready for what Dyersville 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 Dyersville
Is Dyersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyersville has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #134 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dyersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 122 claims in Dyersville since 1979, $785K in all, or 62.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (6).
Is Dyersville 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 Dyersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dyersville’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 Dyersville?
By FEMA money that reached Dyersville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 119 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $2.5M to the City of Dyersville for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 6 paid, $30K.
Is Dyersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Dyersville’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dyersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dyersville’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.