Mitchell County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Mitchell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.7, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Mitchell County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 3.80 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 21.75 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $420K in expected annual loss and about 4.55 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mitchell County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Mitchell County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Mitchell County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.80 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 21.75 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 4.55 / yr | $420K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.38 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.53 / yr | $70K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.74 / yr | $566K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $347 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.79 / yr | $51K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.69 / yr | $44K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Mitchell County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 Mitchell County?
Mitchell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mitchell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $420K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mitchell County compare to other Iowa counties?
Mitchell County ranks #45 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mitchell County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Mitchell County since 1974, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in June 2024.
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. Mitchell County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.