Star-Clipper-Canfield Building and Winding Stairway · Photo: Dan Breyfogle · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Traer’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Traer gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Traer 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 Traer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Traer, and Traer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Traer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Traer: $611K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Traer flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Traer, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Traer 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Traer
Disasters that paid out in Traer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Traer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms20 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$99K to the City of Traer for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$41K to the City of Traer for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of Traer for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$23K to the City of Traer for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$11K to the City of Traer 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 Traer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Traer archive →Get ready for what Traer 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 Traer
Is Traer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Traer has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Traer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Traer since 2008, $8K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Traer 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 Traer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Traer’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 Traer?
By FEMA money that reached Traer, Severe Storms (2020): 20 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $99K to the City of Traer for repairs.
Is Traer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Traer’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Traer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Traer’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.