Photo: Mostly Iowa Edits · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Van Meter’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Meter gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2025.
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 Van Meter 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 Van Meter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Meter, and Van Meter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Van Meter’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $738K a year in losses across Van Meter: $470K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Meter flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Van Meter, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Van Meter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Van Meter
Disasters that paid out in Van Meter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Van Meter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$49K to the City of Van Meter for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$14K to the City of Van Meter for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$9K to the City of Van Meter for repairs
Dallas County has had 17 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 Van Meter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van Meter archive →Van Meter and its neighbors
Van Meter is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Van Meter | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Van Meter 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 Van Meter
Is Van Meter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Meter has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (24%). 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 Van Meter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Van Meter since 2025, $256K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Van Meter 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 Dallas County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Van Meter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van Meter’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 Van Meter?
By FEMA money that reached Van Meter, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $49K to the City of Van Meter for repairs.
Is Van Meter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Van Meter’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Meter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Meter’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.