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Fremont County, Iowa

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Very Low overall risk
94th of 99highest risk in Iowa
$7Mexpected losses a year
17federal declarations
1 in 77homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Fremont County, Iowa has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 85% of US counties. It ranks 94th of 99 counties in Iowa. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, tornadoes and drought. FEMA estimates about $6.7 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,011 per resident. Since 1965 it has been included in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (16 major disasters). The most recent was in March 2019 (severe storms and flooding). About 1 in 77 homes here carry federal flood insurance (61 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $11 million on 233 claims here, including $8.0 million for floods in 2019.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Fremont County

$2.5 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 2 times a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$1.2 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.

Drought

Moderate
$1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 10 times a year.
  • Check local water restrictions.
  • Choose drought-tolerant plants.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingVery Low18.4
$2M
TornadoLow45.7
$1M
DroughtModerate79.8
$1M
HailLow68.2
$575K
Cold waveLow31.1
$496K
Heat waveLow51.8
$455K
Strong windLow26.1
$277K
LightningVery Low11.4
$43K
Ice stormLow32.3
$41K
Winter weatherLow28.3
$31K
WildfireVery Low36.8
$24K
EarthquakeVery Low13.3
$15K
LandslideLow68.7
$6K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively low and community resilience is relatively moderate in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Fremont County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood9
Severe Storm5
Severe Ice Storm2
Hurricane1

Most recent

Mar 23, 2019Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 27, 2011FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 25, 2010Severe Winter Storms and SnowstormMajor disaster
May 27, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 4, 2008Severe Winter StormMajor disaster
May 25, 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and TornadoesMajor disaster
Sep 10, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
May 25, 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 2, 1998Severe Storms, Tornadoes and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 9, 1993Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 17
Dec 26, 1991Ice StormMajor disaster
Sep 6, 1990Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 17, 1987Storms & Flash FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 27, 1984Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Hail & FloodsMajor disaster
Sep 26, 1972Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 25, 1969FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 22, 1965FloodingMajor disaster

Iowa also had 11 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1955

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 364 storm reports in Fremont County since 1955, with 3 deaths and 29 injuries and about $164 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F4 tornado on June 22, 1964.

39tornadoes
140hail reports, largest 3 inches
113damaging thunderstorm winds
71floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jun 22, 1964F4–0 / 0
Aug 28, 1979F3–14 / 2
Jun 22, 1964F3–0 / 0
May 1, 1983F2–3 / 0
Jun 13, 1990F2–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Apr 1, 2019FloodBartlett$100M
Mar 13, 2019FloodFarragut$22M
Mar 17, 2019Flash FloodBartlett$21M
Aug 1, 2011FloodBartlett$10M
Sep 1, 2011FloodHamburg$3M
Aug 28, 1979Tornado–$3M

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 3, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Flood insurance in Fremont County

Check your address flood zone ›
1.3%of homes have federal flood insurance (61 policies)
0%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$10.7 millionpaid on 233 flood claims since 1978
2019costliest year, with $8 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Fremont County

$154,400median home value (Iowa $208,000, US $332,700)
1958median year homes were built (Iowa 1972, US 1980)
75%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
2.8%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 3,125 housing units.

Compare in Iowa

All 99 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Polk CountyModerateInland flooding
Linn CountyModerateInland flooding
Scott CountyModerateInland flooding
Johnson CountyModerateTornado
Black Hawk CountyLowInland flooding
Woodbury CountyModerateInland flooding
Dallas CountyLowInland flooding
Dubuque CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Cass County, NEVery Low25
Otoe County, NEVery Low21
Page CountyVery Low14
Mills CountyVery Low18
Montgomery CountyVery Low18
Atchison County, MOVery Low21

Common questions about Fremont County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Fremont County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Fremont County, about $2.5 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Tornado is second at $1.2 million.

How many federal disasters has Fremont County had?

Fremont County has been included in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1965, including 16 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2019.

Is Fremont County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 94th highest of 99 in Iowa. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Fremont County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 77 homes in Fremont County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Fremont County had?

NOAA records list 39 tornadoes in Fremont County since 1950. The strongest was an F4 tornado on June 22, 1964. The weather service has also logged 140 hail reports and 71 floods here.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.