Lee County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Lee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.9, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lee County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.64 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.26 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.70 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lee County has a medium 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: Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in August 2023.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Lee County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.64 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.26 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 6.70 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.71 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.36 / yr | $13M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.81 / yr | $350K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $108K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $360K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.84 / yr | $67K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $43K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.47 / yr | $538K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Flooding in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Tornadoes |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
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 Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other Iowa counties?
Lee County ranks #13 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lee County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Lee County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in August 2023.
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. Lee County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.