Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Perry faces less hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #52 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2004.
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 Perry 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 Perry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perry, and Perry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #52 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perry’s residents live in 4 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, Perry has less expected damage per building than 63% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Perry: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perry flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perry, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Perry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perry
Disasters that paid out in Perry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Perry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms3 households applied for aid$469K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$978 to the City of Perry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding72 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$182K to the City of Perry for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes38 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding90 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$5K to the City of Perry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Dallas 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 Perry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perry archive →Get ready for what Perry 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 Perry
Is Perry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #52 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Perry since 2004, $19K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Perry 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 Dallas County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perry’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 Perry?
By FEMA money that reached Perry, Severe Storms (2020): 3 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $469K to the City of Perry for repairs.
Is Perry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Perry’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perry’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.