riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cerro Gordo County Disaster Risk

Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cerro Gordo County

Risk Verdict

Cerro Gordo County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 70th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Cerro Gordo County, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 69th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (27th), earthquake (24th), hurricane (12th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Cerro Gordo 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

Cerro Gordo County is significantly riskier than the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is 29.9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cerro Gordo County, IA?
Cerro Gordo County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Cerro Gordo County?
Cerro Gordo County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (89th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 89th 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 Cerro Gordo County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Cerro Gordo County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Cerro Gordo County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Cerro Gordo County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cerro Gordo County's tornado risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cerro Gordo County is at the 69th 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.
Why is Cerro Gordo County higher risk than average?
Cerro Gordo County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (89th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Story County

Iowa

-0.8

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Wapello County

Iowa

-4.3

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Clinton County

Iowa

-4.8

Relatively Low

65th 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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