Carroll County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

57.6

National percentile: 58th

Carroll County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.6, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $23M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 21K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
High $5M/yr
Drought
High $3M/yr
Tornado
Medium $6M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail High 5.81 / yr $5M
Drought High 12.31 / yr $3M
Tornado Medium 0.51 / yr $6M
Strong Wind Medium 4.80 / yr $2M
Ice Storm Medium 0.66 / yr $189K
Cold Wave Low 7.47 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Low 14.74 / yr $83K
Landslide Very Low 0.10 / yr $1K
Riverine Flood Low 1.82 / yr $5M
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $15K
Lightning Very Low 43.62 / yr $87K
Heat Wave Very Low 5.74 / yr $74K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $32K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
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 Carroll County?

Carroll County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Carroll County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $5M EAL), Drought (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Carroll County compare to other Iowa counties?

Carroll County ranks #21 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Carroll County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.