Photo: Scott A. Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Storm Lake than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Storm Lake gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #8 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then tornadoes (38%). 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 Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Storm Lake, and Storm Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 38%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #8 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Storm Lake’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, Storm Lake has less expected damage per building than 95% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Storm Lake: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Storm Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Storm Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Storm Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Buena Vista County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Storm Lake
Disasters that paid out in Storm Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Storm Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the City of Storm Lake for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$32K to the City of Storm Lake for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$41K to the City of Storm Lake for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$41K to the City of Storm Lake for repairs
Buena Vista County has had 19 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 Storm Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Storm Lake archive →Storm Lake and its neighbors
Storm Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lakeside | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake
Is Storm Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Storm Lake has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #8 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and tornadoes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Storm Lake 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 Buena Vista County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Storm Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Storm Lake’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 Storm Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Storm Lake, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): $41K to the City of Storm Lake for repairs.
Is Storm Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Storm Lake’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Storm Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Storm Lake’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.