Spencer, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Spencer 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 Clay County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, winter weather, and drought.
Storm events near Spencer
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Spencer's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Spencer 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 Clay County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Spencer along with the rest of the county, not a Spencer-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 29.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 53.8 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 14.2 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 16.6 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 53.8 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 42.8 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 61.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 83 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 39.4 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 32.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 11.4 | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | 32.7 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Clay County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Clay County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Spencer, IA at risk of?
Spencer 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 Clay County, where Spencer is located, are hail, winter weather, and drought.
What is Spencer's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Clay County, where Spencer is located, scoring 83 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Spencer a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Spencer 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 Clay County.
Has Spencer had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 11 tornado, 158 hail, 308 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Spencer since 2016.