Photo: Lolwhynot3498 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Grundy Center than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grundy Center gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #26 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Grundy Center’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grundy Center 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
Strong wind
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 Grundy Center’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grundy Center, and Grundy Center’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #26 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Grundy Center’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grundy Center has less expected damage per building than 82% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Grundy Center: $631K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grundy Center flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Grundy Center. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Grundy Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grundy County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grundy Center
Disasters that paid out in Grundy Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grundy Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Grundy Center for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$15K to the City of Grundy Center for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$855 to the City of Grundy Center for repairs
Grundy 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.
Old photos of Grundy Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grundy Center archive →Get ready for what Grundy Center 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Grundy Center
Is Grundy Center at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grundy Center has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #26 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (20%). 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.
Is Grundy Center 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 Grundy County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grundy Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grundy Center’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 Grundy Center?
By FEMA money that reached Grundy Center, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 21 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $15K to the City of Grundy Center for repairs.
Is Grundy Center at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Grundy Center’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grundy Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grundy Center’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.