Photo: Kepper66 · CC BY-SA 3.0Marshalltown’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshalltown gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #57 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 stands out about Marshalltown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshalltown, and Marshalltown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #57 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marshalltown’s residents live in 9 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, Marshalltown has less expected damage per building than 60% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Marshalltown: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshalltown flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marshalltown, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $12K
- The Storm1 claim · $14K
Marshalltown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marshalltown
Disasters that paid out in Marshalltown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marshalltown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms1,029 households applied for aid$538K aid approved$4.7M to the City of Marshalltown for repairs
- 2018Severe Storm and Tornadoes$1.9M to the City of Marshalltown for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$158K to the City of Marshalltown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$198K to the City of Marshalltown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding363 households applied for aid$554K aid approved$616K to the City of Marshalltown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$44K to the City of Marshalltown for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding435 households applied for aid$485K aid approved$63K to the City of Marshalltown for repairs
Marshall 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 Marshalltown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marshalltown archive →Get ready for what Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown
Is Marshalltown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshalltown has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #57 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marshalltown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Marshalltown since 1979, $76K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Marshalltown 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 Marshall County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marshalltown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marshalltown’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 Marshalltown?
By FEMA money that reached Marshalltown, Severe Storms (2020): 1,029 households applied for aid, $538K approved, and $4.7M to the City of Marshalltown for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $12K.
Is Marshalltown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Marshalltown’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshalltown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshalltown’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.