Chickasaw County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Chickasaw County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.7, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Chickasaw County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 31.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 15.96 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $917K in expected annual loss and about 4.41 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 0.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chickasaw County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Chickasaw County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Chickasaw County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 15.96 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.41 / yr | $917K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.17 / yr | $630K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.21 / yr | $62K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.68 / yr | $775K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.56 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.00 / yr | $78K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $125 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.81 / yr | $52K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Chickasaw County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (8), 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chickasaw County?
Chickasaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chickasaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $917K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chickasaw County compare to other Iowa counties?
Chickasaw County ranks #60 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chickasaw County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Chickasaw County since 1969, most often 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Chickasaw County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.