Humboldt County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

24.1

National percentile: 24th

Humboldt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.1, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $10M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 10K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
High $3M/yr
Hail
Low $502K/yr
Cold Wave
Low $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought High 16.62 / yr $3M
Hail Low 5.10 / yr $502K
Cold Wave Low 10.37 / yr $1M
Winter Weather Low 17.68 / yr $94K
Tornado Low 0.39 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Low 4.42 / yr $396K
Ice Storm Low 0.68 / yr $35K
Landslide Very Low 0.05 / yr $241
Riverine Flood Very Low 2.79 / yr $3M
Lightning Very Low 42.12 / yr $53K
Heat Wave Very Low 4.47 / yr $19K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $2K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $10K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $2K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Humboldt County?

Humboldt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Humboldt County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Low, $502K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Humboldt County compare to other Iowa counties?

Humboldt County ranks #77 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

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. Humboldt County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.