Webster County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Webster County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.0, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Webster County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 14.84 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.69 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Webster 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.
History supports the rating: Webster County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in February 2022.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Webster County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 14.84 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.69 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.61 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.63 / yr | $243K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.10 / yr | $865K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.65 / yr | $118K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.82 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.26 / yr | $587K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.25 / yr | $127K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.79 / yr | $35K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Webster County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in February 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
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 Webster County?
Webster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Webster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Webster County compare to other Iowa counties?
Webster County ranks #18 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Webster County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Webster County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in February 2022.
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. Webster County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.