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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Benton County Disaster Risk

Benton County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Benton County, Iowa

Benton County: Iowa's Safest Profile

Benton County's composite score of 28.82 ranks among Iowa's lowest and well below the state average of 39.68, placing it in the Very Low risk category. This favorable profile reflects below-average exposure across nearly all major natural hazard categories.

Among Iowa's Most Protected Counties

Benton ranks in the bottom tier of Iowa's risk distribution, competing with Adams and Boone for the safest designation. The county's diverse topography and climate provide natural buffers against extreme disaster scenarios.

Safest in Central Iowa Cluster

Benton's 28.82 score outperforms nearby Boone (28.40) as the region's two safest counties and substantially beats more hazardous eastern neighbors. This makes Benton an unusually secure community within its geographic area.

Flood Exposure, Then Tornadoes

Benton's flood risk at 40.33 represents its highest single hazard, though still manageable, while tornadoes score 43.58. Wildfire risk remains minimal at 15.94, making water and wind preparedness the primary focus.

Standard Coverage Sufficient

Benton residents benefit from exceptionally low overall risk and can rely on comprehensive standard homeowners policies covering wind and fire. Regular maintenance, storm awareness, and basic emergency planning provide solid protection in this low-hazard county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Benton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    36th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Benton County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Benton County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 29th percentile. The 29th percentile national ranking is one lens; Benton County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Benton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (36th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 44th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Benton County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Benton County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary flood hazard at the 40th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Benton County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Benton County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Benton County is 10.9 composite risk points below the Iowa state mean, meaning most other Iowa counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Benton County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Benton County, IA?
Benton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Benton County?
Benton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (44th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 44th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Benton County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Benton County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Benton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Benton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Benton County's tornado risk is at the 44th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Benton County is at the 40th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Benton County a safe place to live?
Benton County's composite risk score of 29th percentile is below the Iowa state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 44th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hancock County

Iowa

-0.0

Very Low

29th percentile

Boone County

Iowa

-0.4

Very Low

28th percentile

Iowa County

Iowa

-0.6

Very Low

28th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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