Buchanan County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Buchanan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.0, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 14.31 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.74 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.58 / yr | $98K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.30 / yr | $838K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.05 / yr | $628K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $312 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $150K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $37K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.91 / yr | $81K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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 Buchanan County?
Buchanan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buchanan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $98K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buchanan County compare to other Iowa counties?
Buchanan County ranks #78 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Buchanan County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.