Storm Lake, IA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Storm Lake 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 Buena Vista County, IA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, winter weather, and drought.
Storm events near Storm Lake
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Storm Lake's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Storm Lake 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 Buena Vista County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Storm Lake along with the rest of the county, not a Storm Lake-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 17.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 32.9 | Very Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 19.4 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 26.3 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 61.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 74.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 91.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 50.2 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 40.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 19.2 | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | 62.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 76.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Buena Vista County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Buena Vista County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Storm Lake, IA at risk of?
Storm Lake 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 Buena Vista County, where Storm Lake is located, are hail, winter weather, and drought.
What is Storm Lake's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Buena Vista County, where Storm Lake is located, scoring 91.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Storm Lake a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Storm Lake 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 Buena Vista County.
Has Storm Lake had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 95 hail, 82 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Storm Lake since 2016.