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Louisa County, Iowa

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

Very Low overall risk
90th of 99highest risk in Iowa
$8Mexpected losses a year
18federal declarations
1 in 63homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Louisa County, Iowa has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 82% of US counties. It ranks 90th of 99 counties in Iowa. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, strong wind and drought. FEMA estimates about $8.4 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $779 per resident. Since 1965 it has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (17 major disasters). The most recent was in March 2019 (severe storms and flooding). About 1 in 62 homes here carry federal flood insurance (97 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $4.5 million on 120 claims here, including $3.5 million for floods in 2008.

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

Top risks in Louisa County

$3.2 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.

Strong wind

Moderate
$1.5 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 6 times a year.
  • Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
  • Have trees near the house checked.

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 Low20.9
$3M
Strong windModerate77.3
$2M
DroughtModerate77.3
$1M
TornadoLow34.2
$828K
HailLow67.9
$648K
Heat waveLow52.2
$532K
Cold waveVery Low20.3
$293K
LightningLow30.1
$138K
Ice stormLow49.2
$105K
EarthquakeVery Low30.2
$99K
Winter weatherVery Low22.3
$26K
WildfireVery Low35.2
$25K
LandslideLow64.7
$5K
HurricaneVery Low11.8
$3K

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 very 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 Louisa County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood11
Severe Storm6
Hurricane1

Most recent

Mar 23, 2019Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 2, 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
May 27, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Mar 14, 2007Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Sep 10, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
May 25, 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 19, 2002Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
May 2, 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 2, 1998Severe Storms, Tornadoes and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 24, 1996Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 18
Jul 9, 1993Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 26, 1993Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
May 26, 1990Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 24, 1974Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
May 23, 1973Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 14, 1969Heavy Rains & 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 1962

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 241 storm reports in Louisa County since 1962, with 2 deaths and 6 injuries and about $63.5 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF3 tornado on June 1, 2007 near Grandview.

16tornadoes
67hail reports, largest 2.75 inches
84damaging thunderstorm winds
70floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jun 1, 2007EF3Grandview1 / 0
May 8, 1988F2–0 / 0
Jan 24, 1967F2–1 / 0
May 9, 1970F2–0 / 0
Jan 24, 1967F2–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 8, 1988Tornado–$25M
Jun 1, 2008FloodGladwin$19M
Apr 30, 2003HailMorning Sun$4M
Jul 29, 2016Flash FloodGladwin$3M
Jul 13, 2016Thunderstorm WindColumbus City$2M
Jun 29, 1998Thunderstorm WindCountywide$1M

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 17, 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 Louisa County

Check your address flood zone ›
1.6%of homes have federal flood insurance (97 policies)
8.8%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$4.5 millionpaid on 120 flood claims since 1978
2008costliest year, with $3.5 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 Louisa County

$150,100median home value (Iowa $208,000, US $332,700)
1966median year homes were built (Iowa 1972, US 1980)
70%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
9.5%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; 4,739 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
Johnson CountyModerate22
Rock Island County, ILModerate13
Muscatine CountyLow19
Des Moines CountyLow25
Washington CountyLow13
Henry CountyVery Low14
Mercer County, ILVery Low13

Common questions about Louisa County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Louisa County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Louisa County, about $3.2 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Strong wind is second at $1.5 million.

How many federal disasters has Louisa County had?

Louisa County has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1965, including 17 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in March 2019.

Is Louisa County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 90th 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 Louisa County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 63 homes in Louisa 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 Louisa County had?

NOAA records list 16 tornadoes in Louisa County since 1950. The strongest was an EF3 tornado on June 1, 2007 near Grandview. The weather service has also logged 67 hail reports and 70 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.