Charles J. Thompson House · Photo: Chuckmor · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Forest City’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #100 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Forest City 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 Forest City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest City, and Forest City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #100 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest City’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, Forest City has more expected damage per building than 71% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Forest City: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest City, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forest City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest City
Disasters that paid out in Forest City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$19K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$128K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$50K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$22K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$83K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2007Snow$5K to the City of Forest City for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$20K to the City of Forest City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$59K to the City of Forest City for repairs
Winnebago County has had 13 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 Forest City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest City archive →Get ready for what Forest City 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 Forest City
Is Forest City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #100 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Forest City since 1979, $8K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Forest City 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 Winnebago County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forest City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest City’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 Forest City?
By FEMA money that reached Forest City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2018): $128K to the City of Forest City for repairs.
Is Forest City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Forest City’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest City’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.