Photo: Richc80 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Mitchellville faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchellville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #33 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Mitchellville 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
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 Mitchellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mitchellville, and Mitchellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #33 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mitchellville’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, Mitchellville has less expected damage per building than 77% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $896K a year in losses across Mitchellville: $494K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mitchellville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mitchellville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mitchellville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mitchellville
Disasters that paid out in Mitchellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mitchellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms11 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$83K to the City of Mitchellville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes56 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$4K to the City of Mitchellville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$33K to the City of Mitchellville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$4K to the City of Mitchellville for repairs
Polk County has had 18 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 Mitchellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mitchellville archive →Get ready for what Mitchellville 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.
- 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 Mitchellville
Is Mitchellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchellville has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #33 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Mitchellville 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 Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mitchellville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mitchellville’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 Mitchellville?
By FEMA money that reached Mitchellville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 56 households applied for aid, $119K approved, and $4K to the City of Mitchellville for repairs.
Is Mitchellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Mitchellville’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mitchellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mitchellville’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.