Iowa NFIP Flood Claim History: 14,689 Claims
14,689 FEMA claims · $355,675,239 reported payment-component sum · 69% A/V-family among claim-record ZIPs · Updated
Data: FEMA NFIP, FEMA Flood Map Service Center Last verified:
ZipCheckup tracks historical NFIP data for Iowa: 14,689 flood-insurance claims, $355,675,239 in reported payment components, and claim-rated-zone evidence across 441 ZIP codes. The 69% figure is the A/V-family share among claim-record ZIPs, not current map coverage.
Iowa has 14,689 historical NFIP claims. Among 441 ZIP codes with claim records, 69% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those claims. This is claims evidence, not a current property-map risk classification.
City Water Quality Map: Iowa
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Cities with Most Flood Claims in Iowa
| # | City | FEMA Claims | Reported Payment Components | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | 1,124 | $19,788,275 | 103,543 | Details → |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 1,120 | $65,236,940 | 145,119 | Details → |
| 3 | Des Moines | 894 | $25,979,783 | 220,294 | Details → |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | 781 | $17,675,433 | 43,680 | Details → |
| 5 | Council Bluffs | 741 | $5,480,323 | 72,339 | Details → |
| 6 | Waverly | 548 | $13,377,530 | 12,655 | Details → |
| 7 | West Des Moines | 416 | $4,231,469 | 69,831 | Details → |
| 8 | Pleasant Valley | 413 | $3,760,854 | 287 | Details → |
| 9 | Bettendorf | 393 | $7,896,794 | 40,878 | Details → |
| 10 | Waterloo | 387 | $5,732,994 | 69,339 | Details → |
Flood Risk Overview
Among 441 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Iowa, 69% have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone in those historical claims. This is claims evidence, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory. Residents have filed 14,689 flood insurance claims through NFIP. The sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components is $355.7M across 11,929 claims with payment data.
Among claims with reported payment data, the average reported component sum in Iowa is $30K. 2,760 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.
Cities with Most Flood Claims
| Rank | City | FEMA Claims | Reported Payment-Component Sum | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | 1,124 | $19.8M | 103,543 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 1,120 | $65.2M | 145,119 |
| 3 | Des Moines | 894 | $26.0M | 220,294 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | 781 | $17.7M | 43,680 |
| 5 | Council Bluffs | 741 | $5.5M | 72,339 |
| 6 | Waverly | 548 | $13.4M | 12,655 |
| 7 | West Des Moines | 416 | $4.2M | 69,831 |
| 8 | Pleasant Valley | 413 | $3.8M | 287 |
| 9 | Bettendorf | 393 | $7.9M | 40,878 |
| 10 | Waterloo | 387 | $5.7M | 69,339 |
Understanding Flood Zones
FEMA classifies areas by flood risk:
| Zone | Risk Level | Insurance Required? |
|---|---|---|
| A, AE, AH, AO | High risk (Special Flood Hazard Area) | Yes, with federal mortgage |
| V, VE | High risk, coastal | Yes, with federal mortgage |
| B, X (shaded) | Moderate risk | Recommended |
| C, X (unshaded) | Low risk | Optional |
In the claims dataset, 303 Iowa ZIP codes have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone. This historical claims field cannot determine whether a specific property is currently inside a high-risk FEMA flood zone. Check the official FEMA map by address.
Flood Insurance in Iowa
Key facts about flood insurance for Iowa homeowners:
- Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage - a separate flood policy is required
- The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year depending on flood zone, elevation, and property type
- 30-day waiting period applies to new NFIP policies (except at closing)
- Private flood insurance may offer lower rates in some areas
- 14,689 claims have been filed in Iowa; among 11,929 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $30K
How Flooding Affects Water Quality
Flooding poses serious risks to drinking water:
- Treatment plant overflows can allow untreated or partially treated water into distribution systems
- Stormwater runoff introduces pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals
- Sewage system backups contaminate groundwater and surface water sources
- Infrastructure damage can compromise pipes and create entry points for contaminants
After flooding events, monitor your utility's website and local news for boil water advisories.
Flood Damage Prevention
Steps to reduce flood damage to your home:
- Install a sump pump with battery backup
- Elevate utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical panel) above potential flood levels
- Apply waterproof sealant to basement walls and floors
- Maintain gutters and drains to direct water away from foundations
- Consider flood vents in foundation walls
- Check for FEMA mitigation grants - many communities participate in hazard mitigation programs
Data Sources
- Flood claims: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Updated daily.
Wondering about flood risk at your address?
Flood risk varies block by block. Enter your ZIP code to see FEMA flood zone data, claims history, and insurance requirements for your specific area.
Check Flood Insurance Requirements →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa at risk of flooding?
Among 441 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Iowa, 69% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. The dataset contains 14,689 claims and $355.7M in reported payment components. It is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
Which city in Iowa has the most flood claims?
Davenport has the largest recorded claim count in this state summary, with 1,124 NFIP claims and $19.8M in reported payment components. Claim history is not a current property-level flood designation.
Do I need flood insurance in Iowa?
If your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Even outside mapped flood zones, FEMA reports over 40% of claims come from areas not designated as high risk. The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year.
How does flooding affect water quality?
Flooding can contaminate drinking water by overwhelming treatment systems, introducing sewage and runoff into water supplies, and damaging infrastructure. Boil water advisories are common after major floods. Local utility alerts provide information during these events.
How many flood claims have been filed in Iowa?
14,689 NFIP flood insurance claims are recorded across Iowa. Reported payment components sum to $355.7M; among 11,929 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $30K. 2,760 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.