Photo: RifeIdeas · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hiawatha’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hiawatha gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #24 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hiawatha, and Hiawatha’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #24 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hiawatha’s residents live in 6 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, Hiawatha has less expected damage per building than 83% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hiawatha: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hiawatha flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hiawatha, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hiawatha isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hiawatha
Disasters that paid out in Hiawatha itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hiawatha), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms327 households applied for aid$335K aid approved$832K to the City of Hiawatha for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$42K to the City of Hiawatha for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$37K to the City of Hiawatha for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the City of Hiawatha for repairs
Linn County has had 20 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 Hiawatha after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hiawatha archive →Hiawatha and its neighbors
Hiawatha has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Robins | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cedar Rapids | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
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 Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha
Is Hiawatha at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hiawatha has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #24 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hiawatha flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hiawatha since 2008, $10K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hiawatha 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hiawatha?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hiawatha’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 Hiawatha?
By FEMA money that reached Hiawatha, Severe Storms (2020): 327 households applied for aid, $335K approved, and $832K to the City of Hiawatha for repairs.
Is Hiawatha at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hiawatha’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hiawatha.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hiawatha’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.