Clayton County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Clayton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.2, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.81 / yr | $71K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.20 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 10.09 / yr | $414K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.36 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.37 / yr | $284K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.60 / yr | $472K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.89 / yr | $33K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.98 / yr | $70K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Clayton County?
Clayton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.2 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 Clayton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $71K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $414K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clayton County compare to other Iowa counties?
Clayton County ranks #37 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. Clayton County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.