Keokuk County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Keokuk County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.9, 22th 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
Keokuk County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.42 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $599K in expected annual loss and about 4.40 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Keokuk 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 federal record bears this out: Keokuk County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Keokuk County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 7.42 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.40 / yr | $599K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.56 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.16 / yr | $478K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.05 / yr | $35K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 44.63 / yr | $117K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.43 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.05 / yr | $356K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / 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
Keokuk County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Keokuk County?
Keokuk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Keokuk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $599K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Keokuk County compare to other Iowa counties?
Keokuk County ranks #83 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Keokuk County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Keokuk County since 1965, most often 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Keokuk County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.