Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Osage’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osage gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #99 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Osage 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 Osage’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Osage, and Osage’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #99 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Osage’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Osage has more expected damage per building than 71% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Osage: $953K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Osage flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Osage, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $24K
Osage isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mitchell County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Osage
Disasters that paid out in Osage itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Osage), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$36K to the City of Osage for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Osage for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the City of Osage for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Osage for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$54K to the City of Osage for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$28K to the City of Osage for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Osage for repairs
Mitchell County has had 17 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 Osage after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Osage archive →Get ready for what Osage 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 Osage
Is Osage at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osage has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #99 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Osage flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Osage since 2013, $28K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Osage 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 Mitchell County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Osage?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Osage’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 Osage?
By FEMA money that reached Osage, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 36 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $54K to the City of Osage for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $24K.
Is Osage at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Osage’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Osage.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Osage’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.