Floyd County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Floyd County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.7, 48th 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Floyd County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th 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.
Most of Floyd County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 22.87 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $890K in expected annual loss and about 4.51 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Floyd County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Floyd County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Floyd County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 22.87 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.51 / yr | $890K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.05 / yr | $107K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.74 / yr | $945K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.13 / yr | $334K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $281 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.95 / yr | $64K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.64 / yr | $52K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Floyd County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2018 | 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 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Floyd County?
Floyd County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Floyd County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $890K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Floyd County compare to other Iowa counties?
Floyd County ranks #30 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Floyd County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Floyd County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Floyd County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.