Mason City, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Mason City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cerro Gordo County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, tornado, and winter weather.
Storm events near Mason City
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Mason City's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Mason City 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 Cerro Gordo County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Mason City along with the rest of the county, not a Mason City-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 26.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 24.2 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 19.9 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 89.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 74.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 76.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 11.5 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 42.1 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 34.3 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 21 | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | 70.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 88.1 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cerro Gordo County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cerro Gordo County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Mason City, IA at risk of?
Mason City 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 Cerro Gordo County, where Mason City is located, are drought, tornado, and winter weather.
What is Mason City's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Cerro Gordo County, where Mason City is located, scoring 97.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Mason City a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Mason City carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Cerro Gordo County.
Has Mason City had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 27 tornado, 124 hail, 59 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Mason City since 2016.