Buena Vista County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Buena Vista County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.3, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.27 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.37 / yr | $178K |
| Drought | Medium | 16.97 / yr | $671K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.94 / yr | $771K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.74 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.69 / yr | $84K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $672 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.07 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.53 / yr | $105K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.52 / yr | $65K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buena Vista County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $178K EAL), Drought (Medium, $671K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buena Vista County compare to other Iowa counties?
Buena Vista County ranks #41 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. Buena Vista County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.