Dickinson County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Dickinson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.3, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.26 / yr | $317K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $278K |
| Hail | Low | 4.77 / yr | $668K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $76K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.84 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.75 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 11.03 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $651 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.47 / yr | $427K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $186K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.54 / yr | $60K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dickinson County?
Dickinson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.3 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 Dickinson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $317K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $278K EAL), Hail (Low, $668K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dickinson County compare to other Iowa counties?
Dickinson County ranks #47 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Dickinson County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.