Montgomery County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Montgomery County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.7, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Montgomery County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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 Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.55 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $640K in expected annual loss and about 6.17 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $933K in expected annual loss and about 8.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montgomery County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Montgomery County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Montgomery County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 6.55 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 6.17 / yr | $640K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $933K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.47 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.34 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.32 / yr | $442K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.64 / yr | $47K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.16 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.53 / yr | $48K |
| 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
Montgomery County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $640K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $933K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Iowa counties?
Montgomery County ranks #54 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montgomery County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County since 1965, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Montgomery County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.