Howard County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Howard County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.6, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Howard County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 15.81 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $569K in expected annual loss and about 4.58 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $766K in expected annual loss and about 3.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Howard County has a very low 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: Howard County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 11 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, Howard County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 15.81 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.58 / yr | $569K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.76 / yr | $766K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.34 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.68 / yr | $43K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.68 / yr | $547K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $218 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.26 / yr | $110K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.84 / yr | $66K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Howard County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Howard County?
Howard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Howard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $569K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $766K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Howard County compare to other Iowa counties?
Howard County ranks #92 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Howard County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Howard County since 1968, most often 11 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. Howard County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.