Photo: ArtisticAbode · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Mount Vernon’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Vernon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #41 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Mount Vernon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Vernon, and Mount Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #41 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Vernon’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, Mount Vernon has less expected damage per building than 71% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Mount Vernon: $793K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Vernon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Mount Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Mount Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms95 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$505K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$46K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding79 households applied for aid$506K aid approved$11K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$22K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$25K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$3K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
Linn County has had 20 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 Mount Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Vernon archive →Get ready for what Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon
Is Mount Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #41 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mount Vernon since 1993, $4K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Mount Vernon 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Vernon’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 Mount Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Vernon, Severe Storms (2020): 95 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $505K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Mount Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Mount Vernon’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Vernon’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.