Natural Disaster Risk in La Motte
Iowa
Risk Summary for La Motte
La Motte scores 5.5/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: La Motte, Iowa
La Motte is a small community of about 794 in Jackson County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather, with a tornado-active spring season shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in La Motte.
FEMA rates La Motte's composite natural disaster risk at 5.5 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for hail and drought risk in their preparedness planning.
La Motte's risk score, near the 5.4/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Jackson County, the highest-scoring are landslide, hail, and drought. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
La Motte's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that landslide exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for La Motte: Landslide preparedness
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
Local Factors for La Motte
These city-level factors differentiate La Motte from other communities in Jackson County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
794
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 42.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.4/10
Coordinates
42.3057° N, 90.6281° W
Jackson County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for La Motte
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in La Motte
Other cities in Iowa
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.