Clayton County Disaster Risk
Clayton County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
42th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clayton County, Iowa
Clayton County ranks very low nationally
Clayton's composite risk score of 42.21 hovers slightly above Iowa's state average (39.68), positioning it in the low-risk tier nationally. The county experiences modest natural disaster exposure relative to most American regions.
Slightly above state average
Clayton ranks in the middle range of Iowa's 99 counties with its 42.21 score, sitting just above the state average. This reflects below-average exposure to most hazards compared to Iowa's riskier counties.
Higher risk than neighboring counties
Clayton's 42.21 score exceeds nearby Chickasaw (31.74) and Cherokee (34.13), though it remains well below Clinton (64.82). Its location in northeast Iowa's more active flood zone explains this comparative positioning.
Flood and tornado dominate exposure
Flood risk reaches 58.02 in Clayton—well above state average—while tornado risk of 53.98 creates a dual-hazard situation typical of the county's geography. Wildfire (12.34) and earthquake (14.47) risks remain minimal.
Prioritize flood and windstorm insurance
Clayton residents in flood-prone areas must obtain separate flood insurance, as standard policies exclude water damage entirely. Adding windstorm coverage protects against the tornado risk that regularly threatens this northeast Iowa county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clayton County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clayton County
Risk Verdict
Clayton County's overall natural disaster score at the 42th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Clayton County can use the 42th 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
Flood risk is Clayton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (15th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Flood risk is Clayton County's top hazard at the 58th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Secondary tornado exposure at the 54th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Households across Clayton County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.
Regional Context
Clayton County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Iowa county average, with a 2.5-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Clayton County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clayton County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Clayton County?
How does Clayton County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Clayton County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clayton 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.