Sac County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

27.3

National percentile: 27th

Sac County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.3, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $15M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 10K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
High $3M/yr
Hail
Medium $3M/yr
Tornado
Low $3M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought High 15.19 / yr $3M
Hail Medium 5.37 / yr $3M
Tornado Low 0.48 / yr $3M
Ice Storm Low 0.63 / yr $186K
Cold Wave Low 8.58 / yr $1M
Winter Weather Low 15.63 / yr $67K
Strong Wind Low 4.10 / yr $463K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr $310
Riverine Flood Very Low 1.61 / yr $3M
Heat Wave Very Low 5.11 / yr $69K
Lightning Very Low 42.78 / yr $77K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $16K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $5K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Hurricane 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 Sac County?

Sac County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Sac County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Sac County compare to other Iowa counties?

Sac County ranks #71 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. Sac County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.