Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Muscatine’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muscatine gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #63 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 75 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 Muscatine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Muscatine 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Muscatine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Muscatine, and Muscatine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #63 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Muscatine’s residents live in 8 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, Muscatine has less expected damage per building than 55% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Muscatine: $6.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Muscatine flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Muscatine, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding16 claims · $323K
- The Severe flooding7 claims · $89K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding4 claims · $67K
Muscatine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Muscatine County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Muscatine
Disasters that paid out in Muscatine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Muscatine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms$13K to the City of Muscatine for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding75 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$606K to the City of Muscatine for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding207 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Muscatine for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$26K to the City of Muscatine for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$72K to the City of Muscatine for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Muscatine County has had 18 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 Muscatine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Muscatine archive →Muscatine and its neighbors
Muscatine is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Estates | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Muscatine | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Drury Township | — | 739 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Muscatine 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.
- 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.
- 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 Muscatine
Is Muscatine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muscatine has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #63 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Muscatine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Muscatine since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (16).
Is Muscatine 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 Muscatine County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Muscatine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Muscatine’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 Muscatine?
By FEMA money that reached Muscatine, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 207 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $1.8M to the City of Muscatine for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 16 paid, $323K.
Is Muscatine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Muscatine’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Muscatine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Muscatine’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.