Photo: SkylerSailer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Le Mars’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Mars gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #53 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1985.
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 Mars 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 Le Mars’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Le Mars, and Le Mars’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #53 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Le Mars’ residents live in 3 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 Mars has less expected damage per building than 63% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Le Mars: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Le Mars flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Le Mars, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Le Mars isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Le Mars
Disasters that paid out in Le Mars itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Le Mars), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$747K to the City of Le Mars for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$296K to the City of Le Mars for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$114K to the City of Le Mars for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$31K to the City of Le Mars for repairs
- 2007Snow$18K to the City of Le Mars for repairs
Plymouth County has had 13 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 Mars after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Le Mars archive →Get ready for what Le Mars 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 Le Mars
Is Le Mars at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Mars has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #53 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Le Mars flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Le Mars since 1985, $443 in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Le Mars 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 Plymouth County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Le Mars?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Le Mars’ 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 Mars?
By FEMA money that reached Le Mars, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 23 households applied for aid, $75K approved, and $747K to the City of Le Mars for repairs.
Is Le Mars at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Le Mars’ rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Le Mars.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Le Mars’ 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.