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Macksburg UMC, frontPhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
–Not graded
Natural hazards in Macksburg · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Macksburg

Macksburg isn’t graded for hazard risk: Macksburg has 125 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2004.

Flood claims
9
paid since 2004 · $182K
Flooded more than once
2
properties
Disasters paid out here
4
of 16 declared for Washington County
By hazard

What Macksburg 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

95%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Hail Ice storms Strong wind Earthquakes Hurricanes Lightning Wildfire Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides top 5%
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Macksburg flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2004

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Macksburg, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
2004: 6 claims2005: 2 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200420052007
20042026
Biggest named events
  • Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $25K
9
paid claims since 2004
$182K
paid to owners
2
homes flooded more than once
$20K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Macksburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Washington County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
23flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
1storm safe room built
Disasters

4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Macksburg

Disasters that paid out in Macksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Macksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Village of Macksburg for repairs
  2. 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$256 aid approved$2K to the Village of Macksburg for repairs
  3. 2004Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$156K aid approved$5K to the Village of Macksburg for repairs
  4. 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$805 to the Village of Macksburg for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MacksburgWashington County only

Washington County has had 16 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Macksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Macksburg archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Macksburg faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Macksburg

Does Macksburg flood?

Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Macksburg since 2004, $182K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).

Is Macksburg 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Macksburg?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Macksburg’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 Macksburg?

By FEMA money that reached Macksburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 31 households applied for aid, $156K approved, and $5K to the Village of Macksburg for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $25K.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Macksburg.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Macksburg’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.