Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall County

Natural Hazard Profile: Marshall County, Iowa

Marshall County is located in the United States in Iowa, home to roughly 40,092 residents. The county experiences cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather, with a tornado-active spring season shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Marshall County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.9 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant drought exposure, where below-average precipitation over extended periods strains water resources and drives secondary hazards like wildfire and crop failure. Residents should also account for wind and winter risk in their preparedness planning.

Marshall County's risk score, slightly above the 5.4/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Marshall County, the highest-scoring are drought, wind, and winter. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Marshall County's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that drought exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.