Van Buren County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Van Buren County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.6, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 11.25 / yr | $825K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.97 / yr | $593K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.16 / yr | $865K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.25 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.50 / yr | $502K |
| Hail | Low | 3.57 / yr | $251K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.53 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.58 / yr | $167K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $10K |
| 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Van Buren County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $825K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $593K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $865K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Van Buren County compare to other Iowa counties?
Van Buren County ranks #55 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. Van Buren County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.