Wright County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

41.5

National percentile: 42th

Wright County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.5, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $13M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 13K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
High $4M/yr
Hail
Low $612K/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $129K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought High 20.57 / yr $4M
Hail Low 5.11 / yr $612K
Winter Weather Medium 17.68 / yr $129K
Cold Wave Low 10.47 / yr $2M
Tornado Low 0.55 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Low 4.64 / yr $504K
Riverine Flood Low 1.86 / yr $4M
Ice Storm Low 0.67 / yr $37K
Lightning Very Low 41.66 / yr $83K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr $169
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $21K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $4K
Heat Wave Very Low 3.95 / yr $19K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wright County?

Wright County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Wright County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $612K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $129K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Wright County compare to other Iowa counties?

Wright County ranks #38 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Wright County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.