Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Red Oak’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Oak gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #120 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1982.
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 Red Oak 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
Hail
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 Red Oak’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Oak, and Red Oak’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #120 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Oak’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, Red Oak has more expected damage per building than 86% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Red Oak: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Oak flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Oak, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $18K
Red Oak isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Oak
Disasters that paid out in Red Oak itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Oak), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$35K to the City of Red Oak for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding201 households applied for aid$336K aid approved$136K to the City of Red Oak for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes81 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$27K to the City of Red Oak for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Montgomery 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 Red Oak after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Oak archive →Get ready for what Red Oak 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.
- 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.
- 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 Red Oak
Is Red Oak at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Oak has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Oak flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Red Oak since 1982, $107K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Red Oak 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 Montgomery County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Oak?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Oak’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 Red Oak?
By FEMA money that reached Red Oak, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 201 households applied for aid, $336K approved, and $136K to the City of Red Oak for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $18K.
Is Red Oak at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Red Oak’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Oak.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Oak’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.