Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0Harlan’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlan gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #102 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Harlan 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 Harlan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harlan, and Harlan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #102 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harlan’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, Harlan has more expected damage per building than 73% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Harlan: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harlan flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harlan, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $76K
Harlan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harlan
Disasters that paid out in Harlan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harlan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes36 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$53K to the City of Harlan for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to the City of Harlan for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes24 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Harlan for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$1K to the City of Harlan for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$4K to the City of Harlan for repairs
- 2007Snow$20K to the City of Harlan for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$9K to the City of Harlan for repairs
Shelby 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 Harlan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harlan archive →Get ready for what Harlan 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 Harlan
Is Harlan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlan has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #102 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harlan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Harlan since 1978, $94K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Harlan 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 Shelby County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harlan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harlan’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 Harlan?
By FEMA money that reached Harlan, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 37 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $53K to the City of Harlan for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $76K.
Is Harlan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Harlan’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harlan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harlan’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.