Poweshiek County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Poweshiek County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.3, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 8.22 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.47 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.62 / yr | $790K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.22 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.05 / yr | $410K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.89 / yr | $67K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $43K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.59 / yr | $70K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.58 / yr | $755K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.37 / yr | $79K |
| 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 Poweshiek County?
Poweshiek County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Poweshiek County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $790K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Poweshiek County compare to other Iowa counties?
Poweshiek County ranks #62 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. Poweshiek County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.