Photo: Kevin Schuchmann · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Manchester’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #138 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1999.
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 stands out about Manchester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manchester 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 Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #138 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester’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, Manchester has more expected damage per building than 99% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Manchester: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 24.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm9 claims · $119K
Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$49K to the City of Manchester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes138 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$204K to the City of Manchester for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding169 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$290K to the City of Manchester for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$50K to the City of Manchester for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$139K to the City of Manchester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Delaware County has had 15 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 Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Get ready for what Manchester 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #138 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Manchester since 1999, $4.0M in all, or 24.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (9).
Is Manchester 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 Delaware County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 138 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $204K to the City of Manchester for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 9 paid, $119K.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Manchester’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.