Calamus Creek Bridge · Photo: KatelynFoster22 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Maxwell
Maxwell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Maxwell has 905 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1993.
What Maxwell 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.
Does Maxwell flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maxwell, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding4 claims · $37K
- The Storm2 claims · $21K
Maxwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Story County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maxwell
Disasters that paid out in Maxwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Maxwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms28 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$121K to the City of Maxwell for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Maxwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$36K to the City of Maxwell for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes36 households applied for aid$115K aid approved$36K to the City of Maxwell for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$16K to the City of Maxwell for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$33K to the City of Maxwell for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Story County has had 19 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 Maxwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maxwell archive →Get ready for what Maxwell 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 Maxwell
Does Maxwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Maxwell since 1993, $143K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Maxwell 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 Story County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maxwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maxwell’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 Maxwell?
By FEMA money that reached Maxwell, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 36 households applied for aid, $115K approved, and $36K to the City of Maxwell for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $37K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maxwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maxwell’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.