Clear Lake, IA natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Clear Lake comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993. 2 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Clear Lake?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Clear Lake to be higher than in 44% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and tornadoes.
What Clear 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
Drought
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Clear Lake flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clear Lake, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Storm: 1 claim, $3K
- Tropical Storm Erin: 1 claim, $24K
- Midwest Flooding: 1 claim, $18K
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Clear Lake itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Clear Lake.
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Clear Lake total about $2.2M 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.