Cerro Gordo County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.