Clayton County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Clayton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.2, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clayton County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 42.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $71K in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.20 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $414K in expected annual loss and about 10.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clayton County has a 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: Clayton County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 14 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in August 2023.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Clayton County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.81 / yr | $71K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.20 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 10.09 / yr | $414K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.36 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.37 / yr | $284K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.60 / yr | $472K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.89 / yr | $33K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.98 / yr | $70K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Clayton County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Flooding in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clayton County?
Clayton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clayton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $71K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $414K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clayton County compare to other Iowa counties?
Clayton County ranks #37 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clayton County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Clayton County since 1965, most often 14 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in August 2023.
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. Clayton County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.