Photo: City of Hawarden Staff · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hawarden than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawarden gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #117 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2011.
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 Hawarden 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 Hawarden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hawarden, and Hawarden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #117 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hawarden’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, Hawarden has more expected damage per building than 83% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Hawarden: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hawarden flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hawarden, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding5 claims · $478K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $3K
Hawarden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sioux County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hawarden
Disasters that paid out in Hawarden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hawarden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes302 households applied for aid$4.2M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Hawarden for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Hawarden for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$30K to the City of Hawarden for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Hawarden for repairs
Sioux 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 Hawarden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hawarden archive →Hawarden and its neighbors
Hawarden has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawarden | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Virginia Township | — | 315 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Hawarden 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 Hawarden
Is Hawarden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawarden has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #117 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (18%). 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 Hawarden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Hawarden since 2011, $481K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Hawarden 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 Sioux County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hawarden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hawarden’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 Hawarden?
By FEMA money that reached Hawarden, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 302 households applied for aid, $4.2M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Hawarden for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $478K.
Is Hawarden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hawarden’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hawarden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hawarden’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.