Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Tama’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tama gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #65 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 stands out about Tama’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tama 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 Tama’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tama, and Tama’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #65 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tama’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, Tama has less expected damage per building than 54% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Tama: $691K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tama flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tama, from FEMA’s records: 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding22 claims · $244K
Tama isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tama County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tama
Disasters that paid out in Tama itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tama), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms174 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Tama for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Tama for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$37K to the City of Tama for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$11K to the City of Tama for repairs
Tama County has had 18 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 Tama after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tama archive →Get ready for what Tama 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 Tama
Is Tama at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tama has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #65 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tama flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Tama since 1982, $250K in all, or 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (22).
Is Tama 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 Tama County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tama?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tama’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 Tama?
By FEMA money that reached Tama, Severe Storms (2020): 174 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $1.7M to the City of Tama for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 22 paid, $244K.
Is Tama at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Tama’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tama.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tama’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.