Carnegie Library · Photo: John Licinius Everett Peck, Otto Hillock Montzheimer, William J. Miller · Public domainFEMA puts Sheldon’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheldon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #34 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Sheldon 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 Sheldon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheldon, and Sheldon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #34 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sheldon’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, Sheldon has less expected damage per building than 76% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Sheldon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheldon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheldon, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sheldon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: O'Brien County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheldon
Disasters that paid out in Sheldon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sheldon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes415 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$393K to the City of Sheldon for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$51K to the City of Sheldon for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$87K to the City of Sheldon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$19K to the City of Sheldon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Sheldon for repairs
- 2007Snow$13K to the City of Sheldon for repairs
O'Brien County has had 12 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 Sheldon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheldon archive →Get ready for what Sheldon 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 Sheldon
Is Sheldon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheldon has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #34 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sheldon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sheldon since 2010, $1K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sheldon 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 O'Brien County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sheldon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheldon’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 Sheldon?
By FEMA money that reached Sheldon, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 415 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $393K to the City of Sheldon for repairs.
Is Sheldon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Sheldon’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheldon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheldon’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.