Buchanan County Disaster Risk
Buchanan County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
24th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#78
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
39th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Buchanan County, Iowa
Buchanan ranks among America's safest
At 24.05, Buchanan County's composite risk score places it in the Very Low category, making it one of the nation's lower-risk counties. Residents enjoy substantially less natural disaster exposure than the typical U.S. county.
Iowa's second-safest county overall
Buchanan scores 39% below Iowa's average of 39.68, ranking as one of the state's most resilient communities. Only Cedar County (21.50) has a lower composite score among Iowa's 99 counties.
Virtual twin to nearby Bremer County
Buchanan (24.05) nearly matches Bremer County (24.55) in overall risk, making them statistical peers in the northeastern Iowa cluster. Both dramatically outpace Calhoun (44.56) and Carroll (57.60) immediately to the west.
Flooding and tornadoes drive risk
Flood risk (38.58) is Buchanan's most elevated hazard, reflecting vulnerability to heavy rain and river systems. Tornado risk (37.47) ranks second, while wildfire, earthquake, and hurricane risks remain minimal in comparison.
Flood and storm insurance are key
Standard homeowner policies exclude flood damage, so Buchanan residents should evaluate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if they live near water bodies. Comprehensive wind coverage is equally critical given tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Buchanan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Buchanan County
Risk Verdict
Buchanan County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 24th percentile nationally. Buchanan County's 24th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Buchanan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 39th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (17th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Buchanan County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 39th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Secondary tornado exposure at the 37th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Buchanan County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
The Iowa county average exceeds Buchanan County's score by 15.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Buchanan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Buchanan County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Buchanan County?
How does Buchanan County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Buchanan County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Buchanan County a safe place to live?
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.