Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Waverly as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waverly gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #97 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 464 claims here since 1979.
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 Waverly’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waverly 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
Hail
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 Waverly’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waverly, and Waverly’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #97 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waverly’s residents live in 4 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, Waverly has more expected damage per building than 69% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Waverly: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waverly flood? Yes: 464 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waverly, from FEMA’s records: 112.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm306 claims · $11.6M
- The Midwest Flooding13 claims · $81K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Waverly isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bremer County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waverly
Disasters that paid out in Waverly itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waverly), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$74K to the City of Waverly for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding888 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$2.8M to the City of Waverly for repairs315 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$24K to the City of Waverly for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$421K to the City of Waverly for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$8K to the City of Waverly for repairs
Bremer County has had 14 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 Waverly after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waverly archive →Get ready for what Waverly 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Waverly
Is Waverly at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waverly has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #97 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waverly flood?
Flood insurance has paid 464 claims in Waverly since 1979, $13.0M in all, or 112.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 76 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (306).
Is Waverly 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 Bremer County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waverly?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waverly’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 Waverly?
By FEMA money that reached Waverly, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 888 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $2.8M to the City of Waverly for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 306 paid, $11.6M.
Is Waverly at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Waverly’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waverly.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waverly’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.