Gibson House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Weeping Water faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weeping Water gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1978.
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 Weeping Water 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.
What’s behind Weeping Water’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weeping Water, and Weeping Water’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Weeping Water’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $640K a year in losses across Weeping Water: $404K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weeping Water flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weeping Water, from FEMA’s records: 28.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $15K
Weeping Water isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weeping Water
Disasters that paid out in Weeping Water itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Weeping Water), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$53K to the City of Weeping Water for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$7K to the City of Weeping Water for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$17K to the City of Weeping Water for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Cass County has had 23 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cass County, 2023–2023.
Old photos of Weeping Water after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weeping Water archive →Get ready for what Weeping Water 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Weeping Water
Is Weeping Water at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weeping Water has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (15%). 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 Weeping Water flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Weeping Water since 1978, $159K in all, or 28.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Weeping Water 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 Cass County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Weeping Water?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weeping Water’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 Weeping Water?
By FEMA money that reached Weeping Water, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $53K to the City of Weeping Water for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $15K.
Is Weeping Water at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Weeping Water’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weeping Water.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weeping Water’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.