Photo: Iowaryan at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Glenwood’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glenwood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #129 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 Glenwood 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 Glenwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glenwood, and Glenwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #129 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glenwood’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, Glenwood has more expected damage per building than 92% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Glenwood: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glenwood flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glenwood, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Glenwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mills County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glenwood
Disasters that paid out in Glenwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glenwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$33K to the City of Glenwood for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$55K to the City of Glenwood for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$16K to the City of Glenwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes28 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Glenwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Mills 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 Glenwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glenwood archive →Get ready for what Glenwood 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 Glenwood
Is Glenwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glenwood has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #129 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glenwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Glenwood since 1984, $28K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Glenwood 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 Mills County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glenwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glenwood’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 Glenwood?
By FEMA money that reached Glenwood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 16 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $55K to the City of Glenwood for repairs.
Is Glenwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Glenwood’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glenwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glenwood’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.