Photo: Thrive Allen County · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Iola’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iola gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #130 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 65 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 Iola’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Iola 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 Iola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iola, and Iola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #130 of 151 in Kansas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iola’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Iola has more expected damage per building than 86% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Iola: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iola flood? Sometimes: 65 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iola, from FEMA’s records: 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms50 claims · $1.8M
Iola is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Allen County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iola
Disasters that paid out in Iola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Iola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$273K to the City of Iola for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Iola for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding265 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$3.4M to the City of Iola for repairs50 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$804 to the City of Iola for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$261K to the City of Iola for repairs
Allen County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Iola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iola archive →Iola and its neighbors
Iola has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iola | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Iola Township | — | 932 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bassett | — | 22 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Iola 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.
- Iola residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Iola
Is Iola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iola has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #130 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Iola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 65 claims in Iola since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (50).
Is Iola 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 Allen County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iola?
Iola is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Iola?
By FEMA money that reached Iola, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 265 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved, and $3.4M to the City of Iola for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 50 paid, $1.8M.
Is Iola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Iola’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iola’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.