Photo: Torindkflt. · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Vinton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #136 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 63 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 Vinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vinton 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
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 Vinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vinton, and Vinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #136 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Vinton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Vinton has more expected damage per building than 97% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Vinton: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vinton flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vinton, from FEMA’s records: 24.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm26 claims · $985K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Vinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vinton
Disasters that paid out in Vinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms80 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$52K to the City of Vinton for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$81K to the City of Vinton for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$19K to the City of Vinton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$309K to the City of Vinton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding304 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Vinton for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$9K to the City of Vinton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
Benton County has had 15 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 Vinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vinton archive →Get ready for what Vinton 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.
- 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 Vinton
Is Vinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #136 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Vinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Vinton since 1982, $1.4M in all, or 24.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (26).
Is Vinton 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 Benton County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vinton’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 Vinton?
By FEMA money that reached Vinton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 304 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Vinton for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 26 paid, $985K.
Is Vinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Vinton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vinton’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.