Butler County Disaster Risk
Butler County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
27th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#72
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
37th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Butler County, Iowa
Butler sits safely below national baseline
Butler County's composite risk score of 27.10 lands solidly in the Very Low category, about 31% below the national average. This means residents face materially less disaster exposure than most American counties.
Well-protected compared to Iowa peers
At 27.10, Butler runs 32% below Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it comfortably in the lower-risk cohort. The county ranks among Iowa's safer regions for overall natural disaster exposure.
Safer than western neighbors
Butler (27.10) matches Bremer (24.55) and Buchanan (24.05) in the safer eastern cluster, but sits 39% below Calhoun (44.56) directly west. Carroll (57.60) and Cass (60.05) present substantially higher risks.
Tornadoes and flooding share top billing
Tornado risk reaches 48.28 in Butler, while flood risk sits at 37.21—both meaningful but not extreme. Wildfire risk (22.42) and earthquake risk (9.16) represent secondary concerns in the county's hazard profile.
Storm and water protection essentials
Butler residents should secure wind and hail coverage in their homeowner policy and establish a household tornado plan. Families near creeks or low-lying areas should separately evaluate National Flood Insurance Program coverage, as standard policies exclude flood damage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Butler County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Butler County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Butler County ranks at the 27th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Butler County can use the 27th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Butler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (22th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 48th percentile nationally makes Butler County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary flood hazard at the 37th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Butler County's preparedness calendar, since flood and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Butler County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
At 12.6 points below the Iowa state average, Butler County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Butler County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Butler County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Butler County?
How does Butler County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Butler County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Butler 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.