Humboldt County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Humboldt County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 24.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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 High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 16.62 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $502K in expected annual loss and about 5.10 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Humboldt 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: Humboldt County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 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, Humboldt County ranks #77 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Humboldt County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Humboldt County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Humboldt County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 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. Humboldt County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.