Audubon County Courthouse · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Exira
Exira isn’t graded for hazard risk: Exira has 705 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1993.
What Exira 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.
Does Exira flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Exira, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $17K
5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Exira
Disasters that paid out in Exira itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Exira), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Exira for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$15K to the City of Exira for repairs
- 2007Snow$3K to the City of Exira for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$11K to the City of Exira for repairs
Audubon County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Exira after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Exira archive →Get ready for what Exira 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 Exira
Does Exira flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Exira since 1993, $17K in all. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Exira 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.
How much is flood insurance in Exira?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Exira’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 Exira?
By FEMA money that reached Exira, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 15 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $15K to the City of Exira for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $17K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Exira.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Exira’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.