Pella, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Pella is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Marion County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, landslide, and tornado.
Storm events near Pella
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Pella's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Pella 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 Marion County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Pella along with the rest of the county, not a Pella-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 50.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 41.2 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 30.9 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 61.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 67.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 25.4 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 88.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 53.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 8.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 42.5 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 73.2 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 34.3 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 47.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 30.8 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Marion County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Marion County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Pella, IA at risk of?
Pella is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Marion County, where Pella is located, are drought, landslide, and tornado.
What is Pella's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Marion County, where Pella is located, scoring 88.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Pella a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Pella carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Marion County.
Has Pella had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 39 tornado, 129 hail, 37 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Pella since 2016.