Pottawattamie County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Pottawattamie County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.4, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pottawattamie County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th 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 High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 6.61 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 4.61 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $50M in expected annual loss for a population of 94K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pottawattamie 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.
History supports the rating: Pottawattamie County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 12 for severe storm events and 7 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, Pottawattamie County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 6.61 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.61 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.82 / yr | $14M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $77K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.99 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.79 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.11 / yr | $261K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $513K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.21 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.64 / yr | $625K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $161K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| 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
Pottawattamie County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (7), Tornado (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 |
| May 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pottawattamie County?
Pottawattamie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pottawattamie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (High, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pottawattamie County compare to other Iowa counties?
Pottawattamie County ranks #6 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pottawattamie County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Pottawattamie County since 1965, most often 12 for severe storm events and 7 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. Pottawattamie County's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.