Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Keokuk faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keokuk gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #104 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1992.
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 Keokuk 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 Keokuk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Keokuk, and Keokuk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #104 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Keokuk’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, Keokuk has more expected damage per building than 74% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Keokuk: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Keokuk flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Keokuk, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding10 claims · $608K
- The Severe flooding6 claims · $610K
Keokuk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Keokuk
Disasters that paid out in Keokuk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Keokuk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$675K to the City of Keokuk for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storm and Tornadoes$88K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$92K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$30K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$111K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes192 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$131K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$3.7M to the City of Keokuk for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$9K to the City of Keokuk for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$21K to the City of Keokuk for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Lee 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 Keokuk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Keokuk archive →Keokuk and its neighbors
Keokuk has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Hamilton | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Montebello Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sandusky | — | 354 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 Keokuk 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 Keokuk
Is Keokuk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keokuk has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #104 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Keokuk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Keokuk since 1992, $1.5M in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (10).
Is Keokuk 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 Lee County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Keokuk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Keokuk’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 Keokuk?
By FEMA money that reached Keokuk, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 8 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $3.7M to the City of Keokuk for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 10 paid, $608K.
Is Keokuk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Keokuk’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Keokuk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Keokuk’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.