Carter Lake, IA natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Carter Lake comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1999. 10 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Carter Lake?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Carter Lake to be higher than in 76% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and tornadoes.
What Carter Lake faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Tornadoes
Cold waves
Strong wind
Hail
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Carter Lake flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carter Lake, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Late spring storms: 2 claims, $10K
are insured
are insured
10 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Carter Lake itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Carter Lake.
Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Severe Storms and Flooding
Flooding
Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Severe Storms and Flooding
Carter Lake and the towns around it
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Carter Lake total about $2.0M 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.