Flood insurance claims in Shelby County, Iowa

FEMA records 15 National Flood Insurance Program claims in Shelby County, Iowa, since 1978, with $257,666 paid in total. The year with the most claims was 1993, with 10. As of 3 August 2026, 0.3% of homes here had an NFIP policy, and 11.8% of homes in the high-risk flood zone did.

NFIP claims on record15

Total paid$257,666

Claims with a payment14

Homes with NFIP policy0.3%

High-risk zone homes insured11.8%

Residential policies in force19

Claims by year of loss

NFIP claims by year of loss, Shelby County, Iowa

Paid on claims by year of loss (building, contents and increased cost of compliance), Shelby County, Iowa

Named flood events with the most claims

Event (FEMA name)	Claims
Midwest Flooding	10
Flooding	1

ZIP codes with the most claims

ZIP code (as reported)	Claims
51537	15

11 of the claims were on properties rated in a high-risk flood zone (zones starting A or V). Building $218,572, contents $39,094, increased cost of compliance $0.

Flood insurance take-up

	Homes	With NFIP policy	Share
High-risk flood zone	119	14	11.8%
All homes	5,889	19	0.3%

FEMA counts residential structures and NFIP residential policies in force as of 3 August 2026. Private flood policies are not counted. A share is shown as n/a where FEMA counts no homes or more policies than homes.

Flood insurance basics. Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. NFIP policies are sold through insurance agents and through FEMA's FloodSmart site, which also explains waiting periods (usually 30 days before cover starts). Check your property's flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

Sources

Checked 29 October 2026. Claims are NFIP claims only. Private flood insurance claims and uninsured losses are not included. Recent events can take months to be fully reflected.