Cedar County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Cedar County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.5, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cedar County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 21.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 13.17 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.44 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $857K in expected annual loss and about 4.34 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cedar County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Cedar County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 7 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Cedar County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 13.17 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.44 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 4.34 / yr | $857K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.50 / yr | $113K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.84 / yr | $425K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.95 / yr | $58K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.00 / yr | $539K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.21 / yr | $114K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Cedar County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2014 | 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 |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cedar County?
Cedar County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cedar County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $857K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cedar County compare to other Iowa counties?
Cedar County ranks #84 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cedar County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Cedar County since 1974, most often 7 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 2024.
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. Cedar County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.