Des Moines County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Des Moines County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.8, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Des Moines County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 56th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 3.97 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.64 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Des Moines 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.
History supports the rating: Des Moines County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 13 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Des Moines County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.97 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.64 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.50 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.14 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $194K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.22 / yr | $454K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.16 / yr | $93K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $408K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.86 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.79 / yr | $598K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Des Moines County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 Des Moines County?
Des Moines County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Des Moines County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Des Moines County compare to other Iowa counties?
Des Moines County ranks #22 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Des Moines County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Des Moines County since 1965, most often 13 for flood events and 10 for severe storm 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. Des Moines County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.