riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Buena Vista County Disaster Risk

Buena Vista County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Buena Vista County

Risk Verdict

Buena Vista County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 39th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Buena Vista County, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 33th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (19th), wildfire (18th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Buena Vista County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Buena Vista County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is within 0.4 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Iowa as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Buena Vista County, IA?
Buena Vista County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (74th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 74th 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 Buena Vista County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Buena Vista County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Buena Vista County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Buena Vista County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Buena Vista County's tornado risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Buena Vista County is at the 33th 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 Buena Vista County a safe place to live?
Buena Vista County's composite risk score of 39th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Audubon County

Iowa

-0.7

Very Low

39th percentile

Taylor County

Iowa

-0.8

Very Low

38th percentile

Page County

Iowa

+0.9

Very Low

40th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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