Natural Disasters in Cedar Rapids, IA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

86.7

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

88.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

15.4

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

98.7

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

23

Public Assistance

$556.1M

Individual Assistance

$71.8M

Most Common Type

Flood

11 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $592.7M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Storms →Severe StormAug 2020$122.0M$7.5M
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalMar 2020$28.8M$2.4M
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Storms and Flooding →FloodOct 2016$7.7M—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line … →Severe StormAug 2014$4.2M—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding →Severe StormJul 2013$605K—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding →Severe StormMay 2008$390.0M$61.7M
Severe Winter Storm →Severe Ice StormJan 2008$1.3M—
Severe Winter Storms →Severe StormMar 2007——
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005$16K—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding →Severe StormMay 2004—$97K
Severe Storms and Flooding →FloodJun 2002$1.2M—
Severe Storms and Flooding →Severe StormJul 1999——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes →Severe StormMay 1999$360K—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding →FloodJul 1998——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodJul 1993——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodApr 1993——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodSep 1990——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodMay 1990——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodJun 1974——

Showing 20 of 23 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

1,351

Total Claims Paid

$69,433,434

Avg Claim Payout

$51,394

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

38

Federal Funding

$37,687,702

Properties Protected

249

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

1.02

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine10$3,636,998
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures7$1,801,617
601.1: Generators6$328,633
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan4$103,509
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 200.5: Acquisition of Vacant Land3$6,753,704

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Cedar Rapids has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, hail, tornado. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (11 declarations). 1,351 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $556,083,715 in public assistance recovery funding. $71,755,334 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 38 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.