Cedar County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.