Photo: Tim Fontenot · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Iowa than in 94% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #87 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (45%). Flood insurance has paid 126 claims here since 1980.
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 Iowa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Iowa 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
Hurricanes
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 Iowa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iowa, and Iowa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 45%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #87 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Iowa’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Iowa has more expected damage per building than 53% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Iowa: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iowa flood? Yes: 126 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iowa, from FEMA’s records: 78.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Delta49 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Harvey17 claims · $859K
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms4 claims · $86K
Iowa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iowa
Disasters that paid out in Iowa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Iowa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms35 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$16K to the Town of Iowa for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta949 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$28K to the Town of Iowa for repairs49 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2020Hurricane Laura4,330 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved$3.8M to the Town of Iowa for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $67K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike753 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$19K to the Town of Iowa for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav751 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$20K to the Town of Iowa for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$459 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,700 households applied for aid$8.0M aid approved$1.0M to the Town of Iowa for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $42K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina36 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$9K to the Town of Iowa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Iowa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iowa archive →Get ready for what Iowa 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Iowa
Is Iowa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #87 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (45%). 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 Iowa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 126 claims in Iowa since 1980, $4.9M in all, or 78.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Delta (49).
Is Iowa 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iowa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iowa’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 Iowa?
By FEMA money that reached Iowa, Hurricane Laura (2020): 4,330 households applied for aid, $7.2M approved, and $3.8M to the Town of Iowa for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Delta: 49 paid, $2.3M.
Is Iowa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Iowa’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iowa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iowa’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.