Lucas County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

29.7

National percentile: 30th

Lucas County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.7, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $8M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 9K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
High $2M/yr
Landslide
Low $7K/yr
Hail
Low $357K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought High 12.16 / yr $2M
Landslide Low 0.30 / yr $7K
Hail Low 5.38 / yr $357K
Cold Wave Low 4.74 / yr $1M
Tornado Low 0.33 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Low 7.58 / yr $385K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $50K
Strong Wind Low 5.21 / yr $469K
Ice Storm Low 0.54 / yr $23K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $34K
Riverine Flood Very Low 3.21 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Very Low 11.47 / yr $16K
Lightning Very Low 45.10 / yr $42K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $889
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lucas County?

Lucas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lucas County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL), Hail (Low, $357K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lucas County compare to other Iowa counties?

Lucas County ranks #65 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

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. Lucas County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.