Pleasant View School · Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Holden’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holden gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Holden 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 Holden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holden, and Holden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holden’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Holden: $581K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holden flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holden, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holden
Disasters that paid out in Holden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Holden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$5K to the City of Holden for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Holden for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding9 households applied for aid$508 aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$36K to the City of Holden for repairs
Johnson County has had 17 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 Holden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holden archive →Get ready for what Holden 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Holden
Is Holden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holden has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) 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 Holden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Holden since 2014, $3K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Holden 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 Johnson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holden’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 Holden?
By FEMA money that reached Holden, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $36K to the City of Holden for repairs.
Is Holden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Holden’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holden’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.