Calhoun County Disaster Risk
Calhoun County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
45th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#32
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
21th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% 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 15% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Calhoun County, Iowa
Calhoun edges into above-average territory
With a composite risk score of 44.56, Calhoun County rates as Relatively Low—still safe by national standards but noticeably above the typical U.S. county. This marks a meaningful step up from Iowa's safest communities.
Iowa's riskier half takes hold
Calhoun's 44.56 score exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68 by 12%, placing it firmly in the higher-risk segment of Iowa counties. The county ranks in the upper third for natural disaster exposure across the state.
Risk spike moving westward
Calhoun (44.56) represents a dramatic jump from eastern neighbors Bremer (24.55), Buchanan (24.05), and Butler (27.10). It sits below the dangerous western duo of Carroll (57.60) and Cass (60.05), and matches Cedar County's relative position eastward.
Tornadoes dwarf all other threats
Tornado risk of 73.63 dominates Calhoun's hazard profile—among the highest in Iowa. Earthquake risk (14.60), hurricane risk (14.69), wildfire risk (8.49), and flood risk (20.61) are all substantially lower by comparison.
Tornado safety planning is critical
Calhoun residents face one of Iowa's highest tornado risks and must develop a detailed household shelter plan before storm season. Ensure your insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage, and practice tornado drills with your family annually.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Calhoun County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Calhoun County
Risk Verdict
Calhoun County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 45th percentile across all U.S. counties. A 45th percentile score positions Calhoun County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Calhoun County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (15th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 74th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Calhoun County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Calhoun County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Calhoun County at the 21th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Calhoun 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
Calhoun County's composite risk score is within 4.9 points of the Iowa county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Calhoun County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Calhoun County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Calhoun County?
How does Calhoun County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Calhoun County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Calhoun 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.