Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Missouri Valley faces less hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Missouri Valley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #61 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 134 claims here since 1993.
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 Missouri Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Missouri Valley 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
Strong wind
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 Missouri Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Missouri Valley, and Missouri Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #61 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Missouri Valley’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, Missouri Valley has less expected damage per building than 57% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $983K a year in losses across Missouri Valley: $601K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Missouri Valley flood? Yes: 134 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Missouri Valley, from FEMA’s records: 97.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding43 claims · $383K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding17 claims · $829K
Missouri Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Missouri Valley
Disasters that paid out in Missouri Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Missouri Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding128 households applied for aid$456K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding64 households applied for aid$170K aid approved$81K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$888 aid approved$9K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes204 households applied for aid$788K aid approved$106K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Snow$4K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Harrison County has had 21 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 Missouri Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Missouri Valley archive →Get ready for what Missouri Valley 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Missouri Valley
Is Missouri Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Missouri Valley has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #61 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Missouri Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 134 claims in Missouri Valley since 1993, $3.0M in all, or 97.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (43).
Is Missouri Valley 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 Harrison County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Missouri Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Missouri Valley’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 Missouri Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Missouri Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 128 households applied for aid, $456K approved, and $1.6M to the City of Missouri Valley for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 43 paid, $383K.
Is Missouri Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Missouri Valley’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Missouri Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Missouri Valley’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.