Photo: Ashton B Crew · CC BY 3.0Madrid’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madrid gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #85 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Madrid 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 Madrid’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madrid, and Madrid’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #85 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Madrid’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Madrid has more expected damage per building than 60% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Madrid: $830K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madrid flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madrid, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madrid isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Boone County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madrid
Disasters that paid out in Madrid itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madrid), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms94 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$391K to the City of Madrid for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$9K to the City of Madrid for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$141K to the City of Madrid for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding83 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$65K to the City of Madrid for repairs
Boone County has had 14 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 Madrid after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madrid archive →Get ready for what Madrid 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 Madrid
Is Madrid at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madrid has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #85 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madrid flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Madrid since 2008, $8K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Madrid 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 Boone County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madrid?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madrid’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 Madrid?
By FEMA money that reached Madrid, Severe Storms (2020): 94 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $391K to the City of Madrid for repairs.
Is Madrid at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Madrid’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madrid.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madrid’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.