Dahlonega School #1 · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ottumwa than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottumwa gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #118 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1981.
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 Ottumwa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ottumwa 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
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 Ottumwa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ottumwa, and Ottumwa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C #118 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ottumwa’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, Ottumwa has more expected damage per building than 84% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.8M a year in losses across Ottumwa: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ottumwa flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ottumwa, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $9K
- The Storm1 claim · $72K
Ottumwa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wapello County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ottumwa
Disasters that paid out in Ottumwa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ottumwa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$61K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes423 households applied for aid$789K aid approved$1.2M to the City of Ottumwa for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding382 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$987K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$125K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$44K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Wapello County has had 17 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 Ottumwa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ottumwa archive →Get ready for what Ottumwa 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.
- 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 Ottumwa
Is Ottumwa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ottumwa has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ottumwa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Ottumwa since 1981, $319K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Ottumwa 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 Wapello County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ottumwa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ottumwa’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 Ottumwa?
By FEMA money that reached Ottumwa, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 382 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $987K to the City of Ottumwa for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Ottumwa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Ottumwa’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ottumwa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ottumwa’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.