Ames, IA natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Ames comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 175 claims here since 1979. 8 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Ames?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Ames to be higher than in 44% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and tornadoes.
What Ames faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Ames flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ames, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Midwest Flooding: 48 claims, $1.7M
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (7) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
8 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Ames itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Ames.
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Winter Storms
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms and Flooding
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Ames total about $16.4M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.