Pottawattamie County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.