Scott County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Scott County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.9, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $66M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Scott County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 84.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 6.26 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.97 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $40M in expected annual loss and about 3.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $66M in expected annual loss for a population of 175K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scott County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Scott County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 11 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Scott County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.26 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 3.97 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.46 / yr | $40M |
| Winter Weather | High | 15.68 / yr | $432K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.21 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.63 / yr | $739K |
| Lightning | High | 42.78 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 9.34 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.53 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.12 / yr | $8K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Scott County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| August 2023 | Flood | 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 |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2002 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Scott County?
Scott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $4M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $40M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scott County compare to other Iowa counties?
Scott County ranks #4 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scott County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Scott County since 1965, most often 11 for flood events and 6 for severe storm 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. Scott County's $66M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.