Photo: Catherine Palczewski / FortepanIowa · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Hartley’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartley gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2018.
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 Hartley 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
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 Hartley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartley, and Hartley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hartley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Hartley: $889K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartley flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartley, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $122K
Hartley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: O'Brien County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartley
Disasters that paid out in Hartley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hartley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes185 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$118K to the City of Hartley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$446K to the City of Hartley for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Hartley for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Hartley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes145 households applied for aid$245K aid approved$20K to the City of Hartley for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Hartley for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Snow$4K to the City of Hartley for repairs
O'Brien 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 Hartley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartley archive →Get ready for what Hartley 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.
- 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 Hartley
Is Hartley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartley has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (21%). 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.
Does Hartley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hartley since 2018, $143K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Hartley 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 O'Brien County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hartley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartley’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 Hartley?
By FEMA money that reached Hartley, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 185 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $118K to the City of Hartley for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $122K.
Is Hartley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Hartley’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartley’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.