Cedar Falls, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Cedar Falls is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Black Hawk County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, strong wind, and winter weather.
Storm events near Cedar Falls
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cedar Falls's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cedar Falls 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 Black Hawk County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cedar Falls along with the rest of the county, not a Cedar Falls-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 36.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 76.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 39.1 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 44.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 91.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 67.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 96.7 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 87.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 17.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 68.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 31.8 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 54.8 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 94.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 93 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Black Hawk County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Black Hawk County:
More on Black Hawk County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Cedar Falls, IA at risk of?
Cedar Falls 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 Black Hawk County, where Cedar Falls is located, are drought, strong wind, and winter weather.
What is Cedar Falls's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Black Hawk County, where Cedar Falls is located, scoring 96.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Cedar Falls a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Cedar Falls carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Black Hawk County.
Has Cedar Falls had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 133 hail, 122 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cedar Falls since 2016.