Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hudson than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #16 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Hudson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hudson 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 Hudson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hudson, and Hudson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 30%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #16 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hudson’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, Hudson has less expected damage per building than 89% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Hudson: $771K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hudson flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hudson, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hudson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Black Hawk County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hudson
Disasters that paid out in Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$10K to the City of Hudson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$20K to the City of Hudson for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$7K to the City of Hudson for repairs
Black Hawk County has had 17 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 Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hudson archive →Hudson and its neighbors
Hudson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cedar Falls | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 664 |
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 Hudson 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 Hudson
Is Hudson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #16 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hudson since 1979, $20K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hudson 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 Black Hawk County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hudson’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 Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached Hudson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 15 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $7K to the City of Hudson for repairs.
Is Hudson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Hudson’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hudson’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.