Fairfax’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfax gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #70 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 Fairfax 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
Hail
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 Fairfax’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfax, and Fairfax’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #70 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfax’s residents live in 2 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, Fairfax has less expected damage per building than 50% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $996K a year in losses across Fairfax: $694K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairfax flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairfax, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairfax isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfax
Disasters that paid out in Fairfax itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairfax), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms63 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$232K to the City of Fairfax for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$42K to the City of Fairfax for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$6K to the City of Fairfax for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$3K to the City of Fairfax for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Fairfax for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Linn County has had 20 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 Fairfax after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfax archive →Fairfax and its neighbors
Fairfax is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| Fairfax | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Fairfax 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Fairfax
Is Fairfax at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfax has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #70 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairfax flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Fairfax since 1982, $99K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fairfax 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfax?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairfax’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 Fairfax?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfax, Severe Storms (2020): 63 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $232K to the City of Fairfax for repairs.
Is Fairfax at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Fairfax’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfax.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfax’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.