George’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, George gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1983.
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 George 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 George’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in George, and George’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of George’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across George: $427K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does George flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in George, from FEMA’s records: 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Iowa Flooding1 claim · $11K
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $26K
George isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lyon County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to George
Disasters that paid out in George itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of George), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes119 households applied for aid$602K aid approved$58K to the City of George for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of George for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$74K to the City of George for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$115K to the City of George for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of George for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes120 households applied for aid$339K aid approved$82K to the City of George for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the City of George for repairs
Lyon 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 George after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the George archive →Get ready for what George 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 George
Is George at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, George has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does George flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in George since 1983, $81K in all, or 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Iowa Flooding (1).
Is George 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 Lyon County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in George?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for George’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 George?
By FEMA money that reached George, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 119 households applied for aid, $602K approved, and $58K to the City of George for repairs. By flood claims, Iowa Flooding: 1 paid, $11K.
Is George at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and George’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in George.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where George’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.