Madison County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Madison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.5, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Madison County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.5 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.68 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $13K in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $464K in expected annual loss and about 6.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Madison 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.
History supports the rating: Madison County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Madison County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 7.68 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Low | 6.20 / yr | $464K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $758K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $75K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.98 / yr | $101K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.37 / yr | $371K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.68 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.26 / yr | $717K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 44.71 / yr | $92K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Madison County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 1998 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.5 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 Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL), Hail (Low, $464K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Iowa counties?
Madison County ranks #51 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Madison County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Madison County since 1972, most often 8 for flood events and 5 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. Madison County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.