For strong wind, Estherville’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estherville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #82 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Estherville 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
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 Estherville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Estherville, and Estherville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #82 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Estherville’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, Estherville has more expected damage per building than 58% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Estherville: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Estherville flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Estherville, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $637
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $29K
Estherville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Emmet County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Estherville
Disasters that paid out in Estherville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Estherville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes317 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$668K to the City of Estherville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$156K to the City of Estherville for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the City of Estherville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$46K to the City of Estherville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Estherville for repairs
- 2007Snow$14K to the City of Estherville for repairs
Emmet County has had 16 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 Estherville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Estherville archive →Get ready for what Estherville 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.
- 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 Estherville
Is Estherville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estherville has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #82 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Estherville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Estherville since 1979, $57K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Estherville 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 Emmet County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Estherville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Estherville’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 Estherville?
By FEMA money that reached Estherville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 317 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $668K to the City of Estherville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $637.
Is Estherville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Estherville’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Estherville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Estherville’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.