Photo: 2C2K Photography · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Iowa Colony faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa Colony gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #559 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1984.
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 Iowa Colony 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
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 Iowa Colony’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iowa Colony, and Iowa Colony’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #559 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iowa Colony’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Iowa Colony has more expected damage per building than 87% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Iowa Colony: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iowa Colony flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iowa Colony, from FEMA’s records: 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey32 claims · $2.8M
- Tropical Storm Paul9 claims · $291K
- Hurricane Chantel4 claims · $60K
Iowa Colony isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iowa Colony
Disasters that paid out in Iowa Colony itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Iowa Colony), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl945 households applied for aid$624K aid approved$256K to the Village of Iowa Colony for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $658
- 2021Severe Winter Storms36 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey23 households applied for aid$2K aid approved32 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2008Hurricane Ike2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$8K to the Village of Iowa Colony for repairs
Brazoria County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Iowa Colony after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iowa Colony archive →Iowa Colony and its neighbors
Iowa Colony is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Iowa Colony 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.
- 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 Iowa Colony
Is Iowa Colony at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iowa Colony has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #559 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Iowa Colony flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Iowa Colony since 1984, $3.4M in all, or 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (32).
Is Iowa Colony 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iowa Colony?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iowa Colony’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 Iowa Colony?
By FEMA money that reached Iowa Colony, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 945 households applied for aid, $624K approved, and $256K to the Village of Iowa Colony for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 32 paid, $2.8M.
Is Iowa Colony at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Iowa Colony’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iowa Colony.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iowa Colony’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.