Fremont County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Fremont County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.0, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Fremont County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 15th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Fremont County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.75 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $575K in expected annual loss and about 6.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fremont County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Fremont County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Fremont County ranks #94 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 9.75 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.17 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Low | 6.86 / yr | $575K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.37 / yr | $455K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.44 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.85 / yr | $41K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $496K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.79 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.29 / yr | $277K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.21 / yr | $43K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Fremont County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fremont County?
Fremont County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fremont County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL), Hail (Low, $575K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fremont County compare to other Iowa counties?
Fremont County ranks #94 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fremont County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Fremont County since 1965, most often 9 for flood events and 5 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. Fremont County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.