Indianola High School · Photo: Paul R. Burley · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Indianola faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indianola gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #3 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
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 Indianola 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 Indianola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indianola, and Indianola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A #3 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indianola’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, Indianola has less expected damage per building than 99% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Indianola: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indianola flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indianola, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $53K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding2 claims · $25K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $37K
Indianola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indianola
Disasters that paid out in Indianola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Indianola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$88K to the City of Indianola for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$113K to the City of Indianola for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes109 households applied for aid$168K aid approved$218K to the City of Indianola for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding143 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$46K to the City of Indianola for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$176K to the City of Indianola for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Warren County has had 15 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 Indianola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indianola archive →Get ready for what Indianola 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 Indianola
Is Indianola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indianola has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #3 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indianola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Indianola since 1980, $221K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Indianola 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 Warren County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Indianola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Indianola’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 Indianola?
By FEMA money that reached Indianola, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 109 households applied for aid, $168K approved, and $218K to the City of Indianola for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $53K.
Is Indianola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Indianola’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indianola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indianola’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.