Winneshiek County

Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

36.2

National percentile: 36th

Winneshiek County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.2, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide 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 20K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hail
Medium $1M/yr
Landslide
Low $23K/yr
Drought
Medium $953K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail Medium 4.40 / yr $1M
Landslide Low 0.30 / yr $23K
Drought Medium 13.37 / yr $953K
Tornado Low 0.46 / yr $2M
Cold Wave Low 8.11 / yr $2M
Riverine Flood Low 1.50 / yr $8M
Winter Weather Low 18.26 / yr $74K
Heat Wave Very Low 3.89 / yr $230K
Ice Storm Low 0.62 / yr $41K
Strong Wind Low 3.82 / yr $333K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $12K
Lightning Very Low 38.05 / yr $91K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $4K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $14K
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 Winneshiek County?

Winneshiek County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Winneshiek County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $23K EAL), Drought (Medium, $953K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Winneshiek County compare to other Iowa counties?

Winneshiek County ranks #48 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. Winneshiek County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.