Buchanan County Court House · Photo: Kevin Schuchmann · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Independence faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #132 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 250 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 Independence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Independence 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 Independence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence, and Independence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #132 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Independence’s residents live in 4 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, Independence has more expected damage per building than 94% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Independence: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence flood? Yes: 250 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Independence, from FEMA’s records: 86.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm14 claims · $50K
- The Midwest Flooding10 claims · $39K
Independence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Buchanan County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Independence
Disasters that paid out in Independence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Independence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the City of Independence for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of Independence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Independence for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$35K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$14K to the City of Independence for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding61 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$158K to the City of Independence for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$6K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding111 households applied for aid$185K aid approved28 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$247K to the City of Independence for repairs
Buchanan County has had 22 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 Independence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Independence archive →Get ready for what Independence 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 Independence
Is Independence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #132 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Independence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 250 claims in Independence since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 86.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (14).
Is Independence 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 Buchanan County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Independence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence’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 Independence?
By FEMA money that reached Independence, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (1999): $247K to the City of Independence for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 14 paid, $50K.
Is Independence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Independence’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence’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.