Ames, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ames is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Story County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, tornado, and winter weather.
Storm events near Ames
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ames's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ames itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Story County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ames along with the rest of the county, not a Ames-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 30.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 69.1 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 34.8 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 13 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 91.3 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 35.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 96.4 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 86.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 14.4 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 64.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 43.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 56.5 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 69.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 90.2 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Story County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Story County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ames, IA at risk of?
Ames is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Story County, where Ames is located, are drought, tornado, and winter weather.
What is Ames's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Story County, where Ames is located, scoring 96.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Ames a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Ames carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Story County.
Has Ames had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 40 tornado, 234 hail, 80 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ames since 2016.