Chickasaw County Disaster Risk
Chickasaw County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
32th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#60
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
40th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chickasaw County, Iowa
Chickasaw County ranks very low nationally
Chickasaw's composite risk score of 31.74 sits comfortably below Iowa's state average of 39.68 and well below the national median. This county experiences among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.
Among Iowa's most resilient counties
Chickasaw ranks in the bottom quartile of Iowa's 99 counties by composite risk, making it one of the state's safest from natural hazard exposure. Few Iowa counties score lower across all hazard categories.
Lowest risk in its region
Chickasaw's 31.74 score edges below neighbors Cherokee (34.13) and Clayton (42.21), making it the safest county in its immediate area. This consistency reflects favorable geography and climate patterns across north-central Iowa.
Minimal hazard exposure overall
Tornado risk of 59.26 represents Chickasaw's highest exposure, though still moderate compared to state averages. Flood (39.57), wildfire (19.56), and earthquake (11.96) risks remain consistently low.
Standard coverage usually sufficient
Chickasaw's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance often provides adequate protection, though tornado exclusions in standard policies warrant a separate windstorm rider. Flood insurance becomes relevant only for properties in mapped flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chickasaw County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chickasaw County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Chickasaw County ranks at the 32th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 32th percentile, Chickasaw County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Chickasaw County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (20th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 59th percentile nationally makes Chickasaw 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. Flood is the second hazard driver for Chickasaw County at the 40th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. In Chickasaw 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 7.9 points below the Iowa state average, Chickasaw County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Chickasaw County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chickasaw County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Chickasaw County?
How does Chickasaw County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Chickasaw County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Chickasaw 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.