Photo: Mikjones24 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Windsor Heights’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor Heights gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #107 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1986.
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 Windsor Heights 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 Windsor Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Windsor Heights, and Windsor Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #107 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Windsor Heights’ 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, Windsor Heights has more expected damage per building than 76% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Windsor Heights: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Windsor Heights flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Windsor Heights, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Windsor Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Polk County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Windsor Heights
Disasters that paid out in Windsor Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Windsor Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms24 households applied for aid$117K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$56K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes20 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$45K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$89K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$17K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs
Polk 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 Windsor Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Windsor Heights archive →Windsor Heights and its neighbors
Windsor Heights is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 707 |
| West Des Moines | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Clive | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Windsor Heights | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Windsor Heights 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.
- Windsor Heights residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Windsor Heights
Is Windsor Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor Heights has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #107 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Windsor Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Windsor Heights since 1986, $295K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Windsor Heights 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 Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Windsor Heights?
Windsor Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Windsor Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Windsor Heights, Severe Storms (2020): 24 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $117K to the City of Windsor Heights for repairs.
Is Windsor Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Windsor Heights’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Windsor Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Windsor Heights’ 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.