Photo: Kepper66 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Le Claire as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Claire gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #92 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 Le Claire 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
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 Le Claire’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Le Claire, and Le Claire’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 8% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #92 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Le Claire’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, Le Claire has more expected damage per building than 65% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Le Claire: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Le Claire flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Le Claire, from FEMA’s records: 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding18 claims · $255K
- The Midwest Flooding11 claims · $136K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $23K
Le Claire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Le Claire
Disasters that paid out in Le Claire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Le Claire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms18 households applied for aid$184 aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$22K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Scott County has had 17 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 Le Claire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Le Claire archive →Get ready for what Le Claire 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.
- 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 Le Claire
Is Le Claire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Claire has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #92 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Le Claire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Le Claire since 1979, $618K in all, or 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (18).
Is Le Claire 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 Scott County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Le Claire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Le Claire’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 Le Claire?
By FEMA money that reached Le Claire, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 17 households applied for aid, $22K approved. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 18 paid, $255K.
Is Le Claire at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Le Claire’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Le Claire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Le Claire’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.