Clay County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Clay County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.4, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clay County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.10 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $202K in expected annual loss and about 17.84 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $467K in expected annual loss and about 23.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clay County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Clay County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for severe storm events and 7 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, Clay County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.10 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.84 / yr | $202K |
| Drought | Low | 23.51 / yr | $467K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.64 / yr | $11M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.44 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.16 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $77K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.64 / yr | $486K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $564 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $65K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.75 / yr | $57K |
| 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
Clay County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (7), 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 |
| 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 |
| August 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $202K EAL), Drought (Low, $467K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other Iowa counties?
Clay County ranks #46 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clay County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Clay County since 1965, most often 9 for severe storm events and 7 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. Clay County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.