Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Eldon
Eldon isn’t graded for hazard risk: Eldon has 726 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1993.
What Eldon 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 Eldon flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eldon, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $10K
Eldon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wapello County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eldon
Disasters that paid out in Eldon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eldon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$105K to the City of Eldon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$211K to the City of Eldon for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$212K aid approved$30K to the City of Eldon for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Eldon for repairs
Wapello 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 Eldon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eldon archive →Get ready for what Eldon 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 Eldon
Does Eldon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Eldon since 1993, $94K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Eldon 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 Wapello County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eldon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eldon’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 Eldon?
By FEMA money that reached Eldon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 34 households applied for aid, $212K approved, and $30K to the City of Eldon for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $10K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eldon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eldon’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.