Davis County Disaster Risk
Davis County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
33th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Davis County, Iowa
Davis County Sits at Moderate Risk Nationally
Davis County's composite risk score of 50.35 classifies it as "Relatively Low" but remains above Iowa's state average of 39.68, reflecting balanced exposure across multiple hazard types. The county's risk profile is driven equally by wildfire and tornado threats, each scoring above 68, creating a distinctive dual-hazard environment. This balance distinguishes Davis from many peer counties that face single dominant threats.
Upper-Middle Risk Tier in Iowa Landscape
Davis County ranks in the upper-middle range among Iowa's 99 counties for overall disaster risk, with notable elevation in wildfire (68.64) and tornado (68.73) metrics. Both hazards score significantly higher than the state average, placing Davis among counties most exposed to these specific threats. The county's relatively low flood risk at 32.67 provides modest relief compared to riverine neighbors.
Wildfire Risk Sets Davis Apart Locally
Davis County's wildfire score of 68.64 substantially exceeds neighboring Van Buren, Wapello, and Appanoose counties, reflecting its terrain and vegetation patterns. Tornado risks are comparable to neighbors, but Davis's elevated wildfire exposure creates a unique vulnerability profile for the region. Among immediate surrounding counties, Davis faces the most acute combined wildfire-tornado exposure.
Wildfires and Tornadoes Drive Your Risk
Wildfire risk at 68.64 is exceptionally high for eastern Iowa, making defensible space around your home and ember-resistant landscaping practical priorities. Tornado risk at 68.73 matches this threat level, requiring both weather preparedness plans and a safe room strategy for severe spring storms. Earthquake risk at 33.27 is moderate but warrants basic structural assessment of older homes.
Address Wildfire and Tornado Exposure
Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home by removing dead vegetation, overhanging branches, and leaf litter to mitigate wildfire spread. Install a weather alert system and designate a basement safe room for tornado protection, testing your plan quarterly. Ensure your homeowner's policy explicitly covers both wind and wildfire damage, and review coverage limits annually with your insurance agent.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Davis County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Davis County
Risk Verdict
Davis County's FEMA risk score places it at the 50th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Davis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (33th percentile), flood (33th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 69th percentile nationally makes Davis 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. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 69th percentile nationally means Davis County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Davis 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
The Iowa county average is 10.7 composite points below Davis County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Davis County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Davis County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Davis County?
How does Davis County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Davis County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Davis 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.