Cherokee County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Cherokee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.1, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cherokee County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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.
Most of Cherokee County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.79 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $929K in expected annual loss and about 23.66 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cherokee 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: Cherokee County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Cherokee County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.79 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 23.66 / yr | $929K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.89 / yr | $91K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $588K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.68 / yr | $912K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.86 / yr | $75K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $858 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.89 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.68 / yr | $116K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.84 / yr | $91K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cherokee County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cherokee County?
Cherokee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cherokee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $929K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cherokee County compare to other Iowa counties?
Cherokee County ranks #53 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cherokee County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Cherokee County since 1965, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in June 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. Cherokee County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.