Wright County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Wright County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 41.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 20.57 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $612K in expected annual loss and about 5.11 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $129K in expected annual loss and about 17.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wright County has a low 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.
History supports the rating: Wright County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Wright County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Wright County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Wright County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Wright County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Wright County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.