Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Mapleton faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mapleton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (17%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Mapleton 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 Mapleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mapleton, and Mapleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mapleton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Mapleton: $649K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mapleton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mapleton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mapleton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monona County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mapleton
Disasters that paid out in Mapleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mapleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$108K to the City of Mapleton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$494K to the City of Mapleton for repairs
- 2007Snow$2K to the City of Mapleton for repairs
Monona County has had 17 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 Mapleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mapleton archive →Get ready for what Mapleton 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 Mapleton
Is Mapleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mapleton has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (17%). 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.
Is Mapleton 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 Monona County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mapleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mapleton’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 Mapleton?
By FEMA money that reached Mapleton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $494K to the City of Mapleton for repairs.
Is Mapleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Mapleton’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mapleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mapleton’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.