Fayette County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Fayette County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.9, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by drought 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
Fayette County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 13.87 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $894K in expected annual loss and about 4.43 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fayette County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Fayette County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Fayette County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 13.87 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.43 / yr | $894K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.52 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.63 / yr | $87K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.68 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.21 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $210K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.38 / yr | $35K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.43 / yr | $67K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Fayette County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fayette County?
Fayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $894K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fayette County compare to other Iowa counties?
Fayette County ranks #24 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fayette County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Fayette County since 1968, most often 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Fayette County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.