Natural Disasters in Onawa, IA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
25.1
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
29.6
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
36.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
82.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Drought | 89.3 |
| Hail | 82.6 |
| Landslide | 76.8 |
| Wildfire | 63.5 |
| Tornado | 58.0 |
| Ice Storm | 43.2 |
| Strong Wind | 39.0 |
| Cold Wave | 33.6 |
| Heat Wave | 31.7 |
| Earthquake | 14.0 |
| Lightning | 11.8 |
| Winter Weather | 10.8 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
20
Most Recent
Winter Storm
May 2025
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
8 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jun 24, 2024 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Mar 23, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 23, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jul 2, 2013 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 27, 2011 | Flood | FLOODING |
| May 5, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Mar 2, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Feb 25, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORM |
| May 27, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| May 25, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Mar 30, 2007 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jul 2, 1998 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| Aug 21, 1996 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, AND FLOODING |
| Jul 9, 1993 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| May 26, 1990 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 24, 1974 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Apr 22, 1965 | Flood | FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
30
Total Claims Paid
$700,670
Avg Claim Payout
$23,356
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$7,774,377
Disasters with PA
7
Total Projects
137
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4421 | Severe Storm(s) | 20 | $2,705,415 |
| DR-1763 | Severe Storm(s) | 66 | $2,181,754 |
| DR-4796 | Flood | 21 | $1,710,399 |
| DR-1998 | Flood | 17 | $663,212 |
| DR-4126 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $409,668 |
| DR-4870 | Winter Storm | 8 | $88,409 |
| DR-4483 | Biological | 2 | $15,521 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$4,355,459
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.03
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 5 | $42,023 |
| 400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.) | 2 | $4,313,436 |
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Onawa has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, hail, landslide. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (8 declarations). 30 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $7,774,377 in public assistance recovery funding. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.