Photo: PopePompus · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Polk City than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #55 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (17%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Polk City 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 Polk City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Polk City, and Polk City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #55 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Polk City’s residents live in 3 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, Polk City has less expected damage per building than 61% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Polk City: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Polk City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Polk City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Polk City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Polk City
Disasters that paid out in Polk City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Polk City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms47 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$77K to the City of Polk City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes21 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$83K to the City of Polk City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$84K to the City of Polk City for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$17K to the City of Polk City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$7K to the City of Polk City for repairs
Polk County has had 18 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 Polk City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Polk City archive →Get ready for what Polk City 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 Polk City
Is Polk City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk City has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #55 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Polk City 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 Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Polk City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Polk City’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 Polk City?
By FEMA money that reached Polk City, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 21 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $83K to the City of Polk City for repairs.
Is Polk City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Polk City’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Polk City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Polk City’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.