J. C. Robinson House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Storms, floods and disasters in Waterloo
Waterloo isn’t graded for hazard risk: Waterloo has 990 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1978.
What Waterloo 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
Hail
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.
Does Waterloo flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterloo, from FEMA’s records.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding3 claims · $277K
Waterloo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterloo
Disasters that paid out in Waterloo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Waterloo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$85K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding249 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$28K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$70K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$642 aid approved
Douglas County has had 26 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 Waterloo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterloo archive →Get ready for what Waterloo 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Does Waterloo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Waterloo since 1978, $331K in all. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Waterloo 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 Douglas County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waterloo?
Waterloo 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 Waterloo?
By FEMA money that reached Waterloo, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 249 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $28K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $277K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterloo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterloo’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.