Black Hawk County anchored by Waterloo-Cedar Falls was devastated by the August 2020 derecho — a powerful inland hurricane-force wind event that caused $11 billion in damage across Iowa making it the costliest thunderstorm event in US history. The Cedar River creates serious flooding risk having flooded Waterloo catastrophically in 2008. The University of Northern Iowa creates institutional emergency planning requirements.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Identify an interior room or storm shelter.
- Monitor NOAA weather alerts continuously.
- Keep emergency kit accessible at all times.
- Prepare for sudden power outages.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Derecho |
| Secondary Hazard | Cedar River Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Moderate |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | 2020 Derecho |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (319) 291-2578 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-20 US-218 IA-58 IA-27 |
// County Profile
| County | Black Hawk County IA |
| State | Iowa (IA) |
| Population | 132 |
| Area | 567 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Moderate |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Iowa Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.