Dubuque County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Dubuque County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.6, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dubuque County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.99 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $67K in expected annual loss and about 0.51 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $42M in expected annual loss for a population of 99K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dubuque County has a very 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: Dubuque County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for flood events and 8 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, Dubuque County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.99 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.51 / yr | $67K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 7.79 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.54 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.79 / yr | $254K |
| Drought | Medium | 5.05 / yr | $850K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.64 / yr | $19M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.26 / yr | $142K |
| Lightning | Low | 39.75 / yr | $236K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $153K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Dubuque 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: Flood (10), Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Dubuque County?
Dubuque County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dubuque County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $67K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dubuque County compare to other Iowa counties?
Dubuque County ranks #12 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dubuque County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Dubuque County since 1965, most often 10 for flood events and 8 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. Dubuque County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.