Adair County Disaster Risk
Adair County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
49th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#28
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
24th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Adair County, Iowa
Adair's Risk: Above Average but Manageable
Adair County scores 49.49 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category—but still above Iowa's state average of 39.68. This means Adair residents face more natural disaster exposure than most Iowans, though the overall risk remains moderate compared to high-hazard counties nationwide.
Mid-Tier Risk Among Iowa Counties
Adair ranks in the middle of Iowa's risk distribution, sitting above the state average composite score. While the county faces notable tornado and wildfire exposure, it avoids the extreme hazard profiles of its highest-risk neighbors to the east.
Adair Sits Between Lower and Higher Risk
Neighboring Adams County is significantly safer with a score of 20.36, while Appanoose County to the south carries substantially more risk at 41.19. Audubon County to the west mirrors Adair's profile at 38.58, making Adair among the more exposed communities in this rural region.
Tornadoes and Wildfires Lead Hazards
Tornadoes pose Adair's greatest single threat with a risk score of 62.37, well above the state average. Wildfire risk ranks second at 34.06, while flood exposure remains manageable at 23.79, giving residents clear priorities for preparedness planning.
Prepare for Storm and Fire Season
Adair homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and tornado coverage as part of their insurance portfolio, plus discuss wildfire risk with their agents despite rural location. A documented emergency plan—including safe room identification and evacuation routes—can save lives when severe weather strikes.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Adair County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Adair County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Adair County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 49th percentile. Adair County residents can take confidence from a 49th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Adair County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (24th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 62th percentile nationally, Adair County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Adair County at the 34th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. For Adair County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Adair County is 9.8 composite risk points above the Iowa average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Adair County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Adair County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Adair County?
How does Adair County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Adair County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Adair County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.