Monroe County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Monroe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.3, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Monroe County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 Monroe 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 12.10 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.39 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $366K in expected annual loss and about 7.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monroe County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Monroe County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 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, Monroe County ranks #98 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 12.10 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.68 / yr | $366K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.65 / yr | $170K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.90 / yr | $405K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.79 / yr | $514K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.53 / yr | $75K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.58 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.64 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $798 |
| 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
Monroe County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2008 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $366K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Iowa counties?
Monroe County ranks #98 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monroe County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Monroe County since 1965, most often 7 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. Monroe County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.