Winnebago County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

30.7

National percentile: 31th

Winnebago County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.7, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $10M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 11K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Drought
High $3M/yr
Cold Wave
Medium $2M/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $100K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Drought High 13.64 / yr $3M
Cold Wave Medium 11.37 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Medium 19.74 / yr $100K
Hail Low 4.39 / yr $386K
Tornado Low 0.34 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Low 3.66 / yr $418K
Landslide Very Low 0.05 / yr $325
Riverine Flood Very Low 1.18 / yr $3M
Ice Storm Very Low 0.60 / yr $20K
Lightning Very Low 40.41 / yr $71K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $4K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $10K
Heat Wave Very Low 3.53 / yr $20K
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 Winnebago County?

Winnebago County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.7 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 Winnebago County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $100K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Winnebago County compare to other Iowa counties?

Winnebago County ranks #64 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. Winnebago County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.