Monona County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Monona County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.1, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Monona County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 25.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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.
Most of Monona County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 26.47 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.08 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monona County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Monona County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Monona County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 26.47 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.08 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.29 / yr | $11K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $112K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.84 / yr | $64K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.27 / yr | $412K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.11 / yr | $509K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.58 / yr | $153K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.48 / yr | $41K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 14.32 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Monona County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
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 Monona County?
Monona County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monona County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $11K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monona County compare to other Iowa counties?
Monona County ranks #75 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monona County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Monona County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 2025.
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. Monona County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.