Mahaska County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Mahaska County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.7, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 9.10 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.76 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 5.16 / yr | $509K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.95 / yr | $537K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.53 / yr | $66K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $76K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.96 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Low | 44.99 / yr | $152K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.63 / yr | $597K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $81K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Mahaska County?
Mahaska County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mahaska County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $509K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mahaska County compare to other Iowa counties?
Mahaska County ranks #66 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. Mahaska County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.