Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Waterloo than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterloo gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #43 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 233 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 Waterloo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waterloo 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 Waterloo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterloo, and Waterloo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #43 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waterloo’s residents live in 27 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, Waterloo has less expected damage per building than 70% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.1M a year in losses across Waterloo: $12.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterloo flood? Yes: 233 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterloo, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm45 claims · $2.3M
- The Midwest Flooding9 claims · $32K
- The Severe flooding4 claims · $13K
Waterloo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Black Hawk County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterloo
Disasters that paid out in Waterloo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waterloo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$722K to the City of Waterloo for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$230K to the City of Waterloo for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes427 households applied for aid$564K aid approved$277K to the City of Waterloo for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storm$185K to the City of Waterloo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,242 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$3.9M to the City of Waterloo for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$124K to the City of Waterloo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding521 households applied for aid$651K aid approved$98K to the City of Waterloo for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$153K to the City of Waterloo for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$35K to the City of Waterloo for repairs
Black Hawk County has had 17 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 Waterloo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterloo archive →Waterloo and its neighbors
Waterloo is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 664 |
| Waterloo | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Evansdale | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Is Waterloo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterloo has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #43 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waterloo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 233 claims in Waterloo since 1978, $4.2M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (45).
Is Waterloo 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 Black Hawk County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waterloo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterloo’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 Waterloo?
By FEMA money that reached Waterloo, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 2,242 households applied for aid, $4.8M approved, and $3.9M to the City of Waterloo for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 45 paid, $2.3M.
Is Waterloo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Waterloo’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterloo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterloo’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.