Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Cerro Gordo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.6, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cerro Gordo County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cerro Gordo County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 23.84 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $343K in expected annual loss and about 20.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cerro Gordo County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Cerro Gordo County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Cerro Gordo County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 23.84 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | High | 20.11 / yr | $343K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $697K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 11.11 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.85 / yr | $942K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.21 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $57K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $411 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.13 / yr | $70K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $59K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Cerro Gordo County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 1999 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 1998 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cerro Gordo County?
Cerro Gordo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cerro Gordo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $343K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cerro Gordo County compare to other Iowa counties?
Cerro Gordo County ranks #8 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cerro Gordo County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Cerro Gordo County since 1965, most often 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Cerro Gordo County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.