Muscatine County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Muscatine County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.8, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Muscatine County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 57.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.31 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.43 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $965K in expected annual loss and about 9.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Muscatine 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: Muscatine County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Muscatine County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.31 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.43 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 9.67 / yr | $965K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.26 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.55 / yr | $265K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.63 / yr | $553K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.09 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.16 / yr | $122K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.54 / yr | $10M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $92K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $350K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.47 / yr | $715K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Muscatine County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Muscatine County?
Muscatine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Muscatine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $965K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Muscatine County compare to other Iowa counties?
Muscatine County ranks #20 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Muscatine County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Muscatine County since 1965, most often 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm 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. Muscatine County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.