FEMA puts Evansdale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evansdale gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #103 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Evansdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Evansdale 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 Evansdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Evansdale, and Evansdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #103 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Evansdale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Evansdale has more expected damage per building than 73% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Evansdale: $899K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Evansdale flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Evansdale, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm4 claims · $38K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Evansdale 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Evansdale
Disasters that paid out in Evansdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Evansdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$131K to the City of Evansdale for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the City of Evansdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes77 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$42K to the City of Evansdale for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding255 households applied for aid$661K aid approved$637K to the City of Evansdale for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Evansdale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$12K to the City of Evansdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Evansdale for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$9K to the City of Evansdale 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 Evansdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Evansdale archive →Evansdale and its neighbors
Evansdale is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Elk Run Heights | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Evansdale | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Evansdale 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 Evansdale
Is Evansdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evansdale has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #103 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Evansdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Evansdale since 1979, $113K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (4).
Is Evansdale 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 Evansdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Evansdale’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 Evansdale?
By FEMA money that reached Evansdale, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 255 households applied for aid, $661K approved, and $637K to the City of Evansdale for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 4 paid, $38K.
Is Evansdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Evansdale’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Evansdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Evansdale’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.