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Wilton, IowaPhoto: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Wilton · FEMA

Wilton’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #93 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1992.

River and rain flooding 72%Hail 12%Strong wind 6%

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

more than 54%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#93 of 140 in Iowa
Hazard risk
B−#93 of 140
in Iowa · higher than 54% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
72% of expected building damage
Flood claims
1
paid since 1992 · $527
Disasters paid out here
4
of 18 declared for Muscatine County
By hazard

What Wilton 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

72%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Hail

12%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area

Strong wind

6%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

6%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 9 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Ice storms Wildfire Lightning Hurricanes Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves top 3% Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Wilton’s grade

River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilton, and Wilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Wilton sits
Wilton
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B− #93 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Wilton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding72%Hail12%Strong wind6%Everything else9%

The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wilton has more expected damage per building than 66% of Iowa towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Wilton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Wilton covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Wilton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1992

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilton, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1992: 1 claim1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims1992
19922026
1
paid claims since 1992
$527
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$527
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Wilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Muscatine County.
Disasters

4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilton

Disasters that paid out in Wilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2020Severe Storms2 households applied for aid$53K to the City of Wilton for repairs
  2. 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of Wilton for repairs
  3. 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
  4. 2007Severe Winter Storms$1K to the City of Wilton for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WiltonMuscatine County only

Muscatine County has had 18 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Wilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Wilton archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Wilton faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Wilton

Is Wilton at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #93 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Wilton flood?

Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wilton since 1992, $527 in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Is Wilton 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 Muscatine County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Wilton?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilton’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 Wilton?

By FEMA money that reached Wilton, Severe Storms (2020): 2 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $53K to the City of Wilton for repairs.

Is Wilton at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wilton’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilton.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilton’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.