Monroe County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Monroe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.3, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 12.10 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.68 / yr | $366K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.65 / yr | $170K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.90 / yr | $405K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.79 / yr | $514K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.53 / yr | $75K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.58 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.64 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $798 |
| 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $366K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Iowa counties?
Monroe County ranks #98 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. Monroe County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.