Appanoose County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Appanoose County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.2, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Appanoose County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 41.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 14.14 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Appanoose County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Appanoose County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Appanoose County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 14.14 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.28 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.63 / yr | $708K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Hail | Low | 4.15 / yr | $286K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.22 / yr | $544K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.47 / yr | $757K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.65 / yr | $164K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $70K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.30 / yr | $24K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.84 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Appanoose County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Appanoose County?
Appanoose County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Appanoose County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Appanoose County compare to other Iowa counties?
Appanoose County ranks #39 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Appanoose County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Appanoose County since 1973, most often 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in February 2022.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Appanoose County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.