Photo: Matthew Shaw00 · CC BY-SA 4.0Shenandoah’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shenandoah gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #62 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 stands out about Shenandoah’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shenandoah, and Shenandoah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #62 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shenandoah’s residents live in 2 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, Shenandoah has less expected damage per building than 56% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Shenandoah: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shenandoah flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shenandoah, 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.
Shenandoah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Page County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shenandoah
Disasters that paid out in Shenandoah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shenandoah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$123K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$18K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding181 households applied for aid$256K aid approved$140K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$17K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes59 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$29K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$35K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs
Page County has had 13 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 Shenandoah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shenandoah archive →Get ready for what Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah
Is Shenandoah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shenandoah has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #62 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shenandoah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Shenandoah since 2015, $1K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Shenandoah 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 Page County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Shenandoah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shenandoah’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 Shenandoah?
By FEMA money that reached Shenandoah, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 181 households applied for aid, $256K approved, and $140K to the City of Shenandoah for repairs.
Is Shenandoah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Shenandoah’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shenandoah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shenandoah’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.