Photo: Ann Sullivan-Larson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hampton faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #29 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (31%). 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 Hampton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hampton 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 Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hampton, and Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 31%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #29 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hampton’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, Hampton has less expected damage per building than 80% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Hampton: $860K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hampton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hampton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hampton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hampton
Disasters that paid out in Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the City of Hampton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes55 households applied for aid$87K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding102 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$149K to the City of Hampton for repairs
Franklin County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hampton archive →Get ready for what Hampton 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 Hampton
Is Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #29 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (31%). 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 Hampton 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 Franklin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hampton’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 Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached Hampton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 102 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $149K to the City of Hampton for repairs.
Is Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Hampton’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hampton’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.