Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Iowa Falls than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa Falls gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #137 of 140 in Iowa State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iowa Falls, and Iowa Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #137 of 140 in Iowa State; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iowa Falls’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa State town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Iowa Falls has more expected damage per building than 98% of Iowa State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Iowa Falls: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iowa Falls flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iowa Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $70K
Iowa Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iowa Falls
Disasters that paid out in Iowa Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Iowa Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of Iowa Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding206 households applied for aid$305K aid approved$51K to the City of Iowa Falls for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$18K to the City of Iowa Falls for repairs
Hardin 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 Iowa Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iowa Falls archive →Get ready for what Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls
Is Iowa Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa Falls has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #137 of 140 in Iowa State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Iowa Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Iowa Falls since 2019, $70K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Iowa Falls 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 Hardin County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iowa Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iowa Falls’ 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 Iowa Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Iowa Falls, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 206 households applied for aid, $305K approved, and $51K to the City of Iowa Falls for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $70K.
Is Iowa Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Iowa Falls’ rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iowa Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iowa Falls’ 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.