Photo: Billwhittaker · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Fort Madison than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Madison gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #135 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 Fort Madison’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Madison 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 Fort Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Madison, and Fort Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #135 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Madison’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, Fort Madison has more expected damage per building than 96% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Fort Madison: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Madison flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Madison, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $71K
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $33K
Fort Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Madison
Disasters that paid out in Fort Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Flooding$136K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$2.3M to the City of Fort Madison for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$60K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$70K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$604K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$17K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$260K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$135K aid approved$489K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$49K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$70K to the City of Fort Madison for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Lee 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 Fort Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Madison archive →Fort Madison and its neighbors
Fort Madison has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Madison | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Appanoose Township | — | 370 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Nauvoo Township | — | 962 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Fort Madison 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 Fort Madison
Is Fort Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Madison has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #135 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Fort Madison since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Fort Madison 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 Lee County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Madison, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $2.3M to the City of Fort Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $71K.
Is Fort Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Fort Madison’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Madison’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.