Jackson County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Jackson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.1, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jackson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 36.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $63K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.06 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson 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: Jackson County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 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, Jackson County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $63K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.06 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 10.93 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.03 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.26 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $54K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.26 / yr | $229K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.21 / yr | $38K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.16 / yr | $70K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Jackson County has received 21 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 (8), 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 |
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $63K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Iowa counties?
Jackson County ranks #49 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1965, most often 10 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. Jackson County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.