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Merchants' National BankMerchants' National Bank · Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvaran aka Carptrash · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Grinnell · FEMA

FEMA puts Grinnell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grinnell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #18 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then tornadoes (29%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

River and rain flooding 43%Tornadoes 29%Strong wind 18%

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

less than 81%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#18 of 140 in Iowa
Hazard risk
A−#18 of 140
in Iowa · lower than 81% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
43% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
7
of 12 declared for Poweshiek County
By hazard

What Grinnell 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

43%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

29%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts

Strong wind

18%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 7 times a year in the area

Hail

6%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Ice storms Earthquakes Lightning top 2% Winter storms Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves top 1% Hurricanes Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Grinnell’s grade

River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grinnell, and Grinnell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 29%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Grinnell sits
Grinnell
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #18 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Grinnell’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding43%Tornadoes29%Strong wind18%Everything else10%

The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grinnell has less expected damage per building than 88% of Iowa towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Grinnell: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Grinnell covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Grinnell flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Grinnell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Grinnell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Poweshiek County.
Disasters

7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grinnell

Disasters that paid out in Grinnell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grinnell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
  2. 2020Severe Storms152 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Grinnell for repairs
  3. 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$64K to the City of Grinnell for repairs
  4. 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
  5. 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
  6. 2007Severe Winter Storms$573K to the City of Grinnell for repairs
Show all 7
  1. 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in GrinnellPoweshiek County only

Poweshiek County has had 12 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Grinnell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Grinnell archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Grinnell faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Grinnell

Is Grinnell at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grinnell has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #18 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and tornadoes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is Grinnell 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 Poweshiek County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Grinnell?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grinnell’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 Grinnell?

By FEMA money that reached Grinnell, Severe Storms (2020): 152 households applied for aid, $62K approved, and $1.4M to the City of Grinnell for repairs.

Is Grinnell at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Grinnell’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grinnell.

Town Square →
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Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grinnell’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.