Wapello County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Wapello County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.3, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wapello County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 13.76 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wapello County has a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Wapello County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Wapello County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 13.76 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.47 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.91 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.32 / yr | $12M |
| Hail | Low | 4.18 / yr | $410K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $92K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.18 / yr | $249K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.37 / yr | $64K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.42 / yr | $65K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $124K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.00 / yr | $442K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Wapello County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 |
| March 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 Wapello County?
Wapello County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wapello County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wapello County compare to other Iowa counties?
Wapello County ranks #10 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wapello County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Wapello County since 1965, most often 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Wapello County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.