Marshall County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Marshall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.5, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 7.08 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.43 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.63 / yr | $268K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.16 / yr | $926K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.43 / yr | $10M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $97K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.56 / yr | $84K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.89 / yr | $685K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.05 / yr | $93K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Marshall County?
Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $268K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marshall County compare to other Iowa counties?
Marshall County ranks #14 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Marshall County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.