High Risk Flooding In Dubuque County Expected Over 30 Years

Thousands more Dubuque County homes and businesses than listed on official federal maps might be at risk of flooding over the next 30 years, according to data released by a nonprofit research and technology group. Over 6,900 homes and businesses, or over 13% of all properties in the county, are at substantial risk of flooding over the next three decades, according to First Street Foundation. That means they could be affected during a 100-year flood. That is nearly 5,500 more properties than show up on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps. It also is one of the highest totals among Iowa counties. However, City of Dubuque officials caution that the new model might overestimate flood risk, as it does not capture every local flood-protection measure.