Linn County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Linn County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.7, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $79M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 6.10 / yr | $8M |
| Hail | High | 4.66 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | High | 0.68 / yr | $16M |
| Winter Weather | High | 16.58 / yr | $787K |
| Drought | Medium | 12.99 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $36M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.31 / yr | $805K |
| Lightning | High | 42.84 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 7.89 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.95 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.14 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $498K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| 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 Linn County?
Linn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Linn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $8M EAL), Hail (High, $7M EAL), Tornado (High, $16M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Linn County compare to other Iowa counties?
Linn County ranks #3 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Linn County's $79M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.