FEMA puts Robins’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robins gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #38 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Robins 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 Robins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Robins, and Robins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #38 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Robins’ 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, Robins has less expected damage per building than 73% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Robins: $881K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Robins flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Robins, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Robins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Robins
Disasters that paid out in Robins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Robins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms45 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Robins for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$183K to the City of Robins for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$1K to the City of Robins for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Robins for repairs
Linn County has had 20 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 Robins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Robins archive →Robins and its neighbors
Robins is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Robins | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cedar Rapids | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Robins 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 Robins
Is Robins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robins has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #38 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Robins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Robins since 2008, $52K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Robins 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Robins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Robins’ 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 Robins?
By FEMA money that reached Robins, Severe Storms (2020): 45 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $1.7M to the City of Robins for repairs.
Is Robins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Robins’ rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Robins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Robins’ 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.