Webster City Post Office · Photo: Ann Sullivan-Larson · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Webster City’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webster City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #101 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1981.
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 Webster City 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 Webster City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Webster City, and Webster City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #101 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Webster City’s residents live in 3 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, Webster City has more expected damage per building than 72% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Webster City: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Webster City flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webster City, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm5 claims · $74K
Webster City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webster City
Disasters that paid out in Webster City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Webster City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$48K to the City of Webster City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes110 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$56K to the City of Webster City for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$212K aid approved$271K to the City of Webster City for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Webster City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Hamilton 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 Webster City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Webster City archive →Get ready for what Webster City 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 Webster City
Is Webster City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webster City has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #101 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Webster City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Webster City since 1981, $189K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (5).
Is Webster City 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 Hamilton County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Webster City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Webster City’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 Webster City?
By FEMA money that reached Webster City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 87 households applied for aid, $212K approved, and $271K to the City of Webster City for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 5 paid, $74K.
Is Webster City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Webster City’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Webster City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Webster City’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.