Black Hawk County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Black Hawk County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.6, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 16.18 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.35 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 17.79 / yr | $598K |
| Tornado | High | 0.54 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.03 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.50 / yr | $20M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $232K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.68 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.59 / yr | $319K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $330K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $167K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $409 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Black Hawk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $598K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Black Hawk County compare to other Iowa counties?
Black Hawk County ranks #7 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Black Hawk County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.