Natural Disaster Risk in Cumberland

Natural Hazard Profile: Cumberland, Iowa

Located in the interior eastern United States in Cass County, Cumberland is a small community of about 540. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Iowa — marked by cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Cumberland a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Cumberland's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.0/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Prolonged drought is the primary hazard risk, shaped by low annual rainfall, high evaporation rates, and increasing temperature trends that deepen and lengthen dry periods. Secondary hazards include cold wave and hail.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Cumberland's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by drought and cold wave, as measured by FEMA across Cass County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Cumberland residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for drought and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.