Cedar County Disaster Risk
Cedar County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
22th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#84
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
28th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cedar County, Iowa
Cedar County ranks among America's safest
Cedar County's composite risk score of 21.50 places it in the Very Low category—among the lowest-risk counties in the nation. Residents enjoy substantially less natural disaster exposure than the typical American county.
Iowa's safest county overall
At 21.50, Cedar County scores 46% below Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it the most resilient county in this analysis. The county represents one of Iowa's best outcomes across all natural hazard categories combined.
Clearly the region's safest community
Cedar (21.50) ranks below all eight counties analyzed, edging ahead of Bremer (24.55) and Buchanan (24.05) in the safer eastern cluster. It sits dramatically below the riskier western counties like Cass (60.05) and Carroll (57.60).
Earthquake risk unexpectedly elevated
Earthquake risk (27.35) is Cedar's highest hazard, though still low in absolute terms and reflecting regional seismic activity. Tornado risk (45.64), wildfire risk (31.77), and flood risk (27.61) are all present but moderate, with hurricane risk minimal.
Standard coverage typically sufficient
Cedar County residents can generally rely on comprehensive homeowner's insurance with standard wind and hail coverage as their primary protection. Families near waterways should still evaluate flood insurance, but overall exposure is low enough to make Cedar one of Iowa's safest places to live.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cedar County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cedar County
Risk Verdict
Cedar County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 22th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. The 22th percentile national ranking is one lens; Cedar County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Cedar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (28th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cedar County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 46th percentile nationally. In Cedar County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Cedar County at the 32th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Cedar County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Cedar County households.
Regional Context
Compared to the Iowa county average, Cedar County's composite score runs 18.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Cedar County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cedar County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Cedar County?
How does Cedar County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Cedar County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Cedar 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.