Cass County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Cass County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.1, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 8.64 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.21 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.19 / yr | $662K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $775K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.21 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.87 / yr | $584K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.76 / yr | $88K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.53 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.84 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| 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 Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.1 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 Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $662K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Iowa counties?
Cass County ranks #17 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. Cass County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.