Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Humboldt than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humboldt gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #114 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Humboldt 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
Strong wind
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 Humboldt’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Humboldt, and Humboldt’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #114 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Humboldt’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, Humboldt has more expected damage per building than 81% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Humboldt: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Humboldt flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Humboldt, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Erin8 claims · $56K
- The Storm3 claims · $11K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $592
Humboldt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Humboldt County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Humboldt
Disasters that paid out in Humboldt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Humboldt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes47 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$161K to the City of Humboldt for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$1.9M to the City of Humboldt for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$82K to the City of Humboldt for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes37 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$185K to the City of Humboldt for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$88K to the City of Humboldt for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$54K to the City of Humboldt for repairs
- 2007Snow$7K to the City of Humboldt for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$4K to the City of Humboldt for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Humboldt County has had 19 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 Humboldt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Humboldt archive →Humboldt and its neighbors
Humboldt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Dakota City | — | 752 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 Humboldt 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Humboldt
Is Humboldt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humboldt has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #114 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Humboldt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Humboldt since 1978, $231K in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Erin (8).
Is Humboldt 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 Humboldt County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Humboldt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Humboldt’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 Humboldt?
By FEMA money that reached Humboldt, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $1.9M to the City of Humboldt for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Erin: 8 paid, $56K.
Is Humboldt at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Humboldt’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Humboldt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Humboldt’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.