Dallas County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Dallas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.6, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 7.79 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.27 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.05 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.42 / yr | $256K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $375K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.86 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.25 / yr | $17M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.26 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 44.48 / yr | $444K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $86K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Dallas County?
Dallas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dallas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dallas County compare to other Iowa counties?
Dallas County ranks #16 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. Dallas County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.