Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Nichols
Nichols isn’t graded for hazard risk: Nichols has 373 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1983.
What Nichols 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
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.
Does Nichols flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nichols, from FEMA’s records.
Nichols 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nichols
Disasters that paid out in Nichols itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nichols), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$722K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$2K to the City of Nichols for repairs
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 Nichols after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nichols archive →Get ready for what Nichols 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.
- 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 Nichols
Does Nichols flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Nichols since 1983, $115K in all.
Is Nichols 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 Nichols?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nichols’ 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 Nichols?
By FEMA money that reached Nichols, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 50 households applied for aid, $722K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nichols.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nichols’ 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.