Jasper County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Jasper County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.7, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jasper County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 43.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Jasper County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.15 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.40 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $969K in expected annual loss and about 6.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 38K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jasper County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Jasper County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Jasper County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 5.15 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.40 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.05 / yr | $969K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.32 / yr | $132K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.83 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.53 / yr | $433K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.16 / yr | $540K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.64 / yr | $133K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $74K |
| 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
Jasper County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and 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 |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jasper County?
Jasper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jasper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $969K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jasper County compare to other Iowa counties?
Jasper County ranks #34 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jasper County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Jasper County since 1969, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Jasper County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.