Earthquakes risk in Iowa

You're at the closing table in Des Moines, and the seller's disclosure has a line for 'earthquake damage.' It's blank. That's typical for most of Iowa, where the ground rarely shakes.

Iowa gets a level 1 out of 5 for earthquake risk on the state scale. That's the lowest rating. You're far from the major plate boundaries and the most active faults. The USGS gives nearly the entire state a very low seismic hazard. But 'very low' isn't 'zero.'

The New Madrid Seismic Zone in Missouri and the Nemaha Ridge in Kansas and Nebraska can send small tremors into Iowa. You might feel a slight vibration in Council Bluffs, Sioux City, or the Loess Hills. Structural damage is rare. In the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa, the bedrock is old and stable. In the Des Moines metro, Polk County, or Linn County, you're on firm ground.

Still, a few spots deserve a second look. The southeast corner of Iowa, near the Mississippi River and the Quad Cities (Scott County), is closer to the New Madrid zone. Western Iowa, along the Missouri River in Woodbury County, sits nearer the Nemaha Ridge. Neither area has a high risk, but they're where you'd most likely feel a distant quake.

Who this hits hardest

Earthquakes in Iowa don't hit everyone equally. If you live in a newer ranch in Ankeny or a split-level in Cedar Rapids, your risk is about as close to zero as it gets. The people who should pay a little attention are those in older masonry homes.

Unreinforced brick and stone are brittle. In historic neighborhoods of Dubuque, Davenport, or Sioux City, you'll see plenty of brick chimneys and load-bearing walls. A minor quake—one that wouldn't crack drywall in a wood-frame house—could topple a chimney or crack a brick foundation. That's not a reason to panic. It's a reason to look up at your chimney and check for loose mortar.

Also, anyone on soft river soils. The Mississippi and Missouri river valleys have deep alluvial deposits. That can amplify shaking, even from a distant quake. Again, the effect is small in Iowa, but it's real.

After the event — claims and repairs

If you feel a quake, your first move is not your insurance agent. It's your gas meter. Shaking can crack gas lines. If you smell rotten eggs, get out and call your utility from a neighbor's house. Don't flip light switches. Don't light matches.

Once you're safe, document any damage. Take photos before you clean up. Then call your insurance agent. Here's the insurance reality: standard homeowners policies in Iowa almost never cover earthquake damage. It's excluded, just like flood. You'd need a separate endorsement or a standalone policy. In a level 1 state, many insurers won't even offer it because the risk is so low. If they do, it's usually cheap—often less than $100 a year for a typical home.

If there's a fire or explosion after the quake, your policy likely covers that. So does wind and water damage from a broken pipe. The exclusion is specifically for earth movement. If the governor requests a disaster declaration and the president approves it, FEMA may offer individual assistance. The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency coordinates the state's response. You can find their resources at the link below.

Repairs: For a cracked chimney, you'll need a mason. For foundation cracks, a structural engineer. In a low-risk state, most contractors won't have earthquake-specific experience, but the repairs are the same as for any settling or impact damage.

Before the season starts

Earthquakes don't have a season. They can happen any month, though in Iowa they're so rare that 'season' is meaningless. What you can do is prepare year-round.

Spend a weekend on the basics. Secure your water heater with two metal straps. Anchor heavy bookcases and dressers to wall studs. Install a gas shut-off valve that automatically closes when it senses shaking. Know where your main gas valve is and keep a wrench near it. Put together a kit: water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, battery-powered radio, and copies of important documents. Ready.gov has a full checklist.

If you have $100 and a free weekend, I'd spend it on a wrench to secure your water heater and a gas shut-off tool—not on earthquake insurance. That's the best return on your time and money in Iowa.

If you're buying a house, ask your inspector to look at the chimney and foundation. A $300 inspection can catch problems that would cost thousands to fix later. And if you're in an older brick home, get a mason's opinion on the mortar joints. That's more useful than an insurance policy you'll likely never use.

Questions we get

Do I need earthquake insurance in Iowa?

Probably not. With a level 1 risk, the odds of damaging shaking are tiny. But if you own a historic brick home or you just want peace of mind, ask your agent. It's often a cheap add-on, though some companies don't write it here.

What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Iowa?

Drop, cover, and hold on. If you're inside, get under a sturdy table and stay away from windows. If you're outside, move to an open area. After the shaking stops, check for injuries and gas leaks. Report damage to your county emergency manager.

Is the New Madrid fault a threat to Iowa?

The New Madrid Seismic Zone is centered in Missouri and Arkansas, hundreds of miles south. A major quake there could be felt in southeast Iowa, but it's unlikely to cause more than minor shaking. USGS maps show the highest risk in the bootheel of Missouri, not Iowa.

Official sources

• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• Ready.gov – Earthquakes
• FEMA Earthquake Safety

That's it. Iowa's earthquake risk is low. But knowing where your gas shut-off is? That's just good practice, no matter where you live.