FEMA puts Ames’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ames gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1994.
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 Ames 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
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 Ames’ grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ames, and Ames’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ames’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $407K a year in losses across Ames: $221K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ames flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ames, from FEMA’s records: 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Imelda13 claims · $783K
- Hurricane Harvey4 claims · $149K
- The Fall severe storms2 claims · $129K
Ames isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Liberty County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ames
Disasters that paid out in Ames itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ames), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl51 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$113K to the City of Ames for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda12 households applied for aid$13K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $783K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey37 households applied for aid$50K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $149K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$6K to the City of Ames for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike53 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$4K to the City of Ames for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita40 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$4K to the City of Ames for repairs
Liberty County has had 31 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 Liberty County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Ames after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ames archive →Ames and its neighbors
Ames is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
| Ames | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Ames 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.
- 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 Ames
Is Ames at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ames has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (37%). 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 Ames flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Ames since 1994, $1.2M in all, or 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Imelda (13).
Is Ames 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 Liberty County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ames?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ames’ 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 Ames?
By FEMA money that reached Ames, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 8 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $113K to the City of Ames for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Imelda: 13 paid, $783K.
Is Ames at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Ames’ rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ames.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ames’ 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.