Photo: Bill Whittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Fort Dodge’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Dodge gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #86 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Dodge, and Fort Dodge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 30%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #86 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Dodge’s residents live in 9 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, Fort Dodge has more expected damage per building than 61% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across Fort Dodge: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Dodge flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Dodge, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $2K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Fort Dodge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Webster County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Dodge
Disasters that paid out in Fort Dodge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Dodge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$67K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$23K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes363 households applied for aid$317K aid approved$508K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding222 households applied for aid$253K aid approved$483K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$394K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs
- 2007Snow$45K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding89 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$64K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs
Webster County has had 17 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 Fort Dodge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Dodge archive →Get ready for what Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
Is Fort Dodge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Dodge has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #86 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Dodge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Fort Dodge since 1979, $44K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Fort Dodge 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 Webster County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Dodge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Dodge’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 Fort Dodge?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Dodge, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 363 households applied for aid, $317K approved, and $508K to the City of Fort Dodge for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Fort Dodge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Fort Dodge’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Dodge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Dodge’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.