Photo: Dennis Bratland · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Urbandale than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Urbandale gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #49 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1978.
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 Urbandale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Urbandale 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 Urbandale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Urbandale, and Urbandale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #49 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Urbandale’s residents live in 13 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, Urbandale has less expected damage per building than 65% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.8M a year in losses across Urbandale: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Urbandale flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Urbandale, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Urbandale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Polk County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Urbandale
Disasters that paid out in Urbandale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Urbandale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$86K to the City of Urbandale for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms73 households applied for aid$223K to the City of Urbandale for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$352K to the City of Urbandale for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes132 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$310K to the City of Urbandale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$106K to the City of Urbandale for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$67K to the City of Urbandale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Polk County has had 18 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 Urbandale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Urbandale archive →Urbandale and its neighbors
Urbandale is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Des Moines | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 707 |
| Grimes | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Urbandale | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Clive | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
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 Urbandale 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.
- Urbandale residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Urbandale
Is Urbandale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Urbandale has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #49 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Urbandale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Urbandale since 1978, $678K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Urbandale 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 Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Urbandale?
Urbandale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Urbandale?
By FEMA money that reached Urbandale, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2010): 132 households applied for aid, $164K approved, and $310K to the City of Urbandale for repairs.
Is Urbandale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Urbandale’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Urbandale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Urbandale’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.