Photo: en:User:Cburnett · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Winterset faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winterset gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #4 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Winterset’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winterset 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
Strong wind
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 Winterset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winterset, and Winterset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #4 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winterset’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, Winterset has less expected damage per building than 98% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Winterset: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winterset flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winterset, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winterset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winterset
Disasters that paid out in Winterset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winterset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$26K to the City of Winterset for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding45 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$9K to the City of Winterset for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$14K to the City of Winterset for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
Madison 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 Winterset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winterset archive →Get ready for what Winterset 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Winterset
Is Winterset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winterset has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #4 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winterset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Winterset since 1998, $752 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winterset 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 Madison County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winterset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winterset’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 Winterset?
By FEMA money that reached Winterset, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 45 households applied for aid, $123K approved, and $9K to the City of Winterset for repairs.
Is Winterset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Winterset’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winterset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winterset’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.