Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Iron River than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iron River gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 stands out about Iron River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Iron River 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
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 Iron River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iron River, and Iron River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iron River’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $701K a year in losses across Iron River: $259K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iron River flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Iron River. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Iron River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bayfield County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iron River
Disasters that paid out in Iron River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Iron River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$5K to the Town of Iron River for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$8K to the Town of Iron River for repairs
- 1999Wi-flood-07/20/99$20K to the Town of Iron River for repairs
Bayfield County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Iron River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iron River archive →Iron River and its neighbors
Iron River has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. 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 Iron River 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.
- 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 Iron River
Is Iron River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iron River has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Iron River 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 Bayfield County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iron River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iron River’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 Iron River?
By FEMA money that reached Iron River, Wi-flood-07/20/99 (1999): $20K to the Town of Iron River for repairs.
Is Iron River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Iron River’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iron River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iron River’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.