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 Advisory: Davis County

Risk Verdict

Davis County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 50th 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 Davis County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 69th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (33th), flood (33th), hurricane (14th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Davis 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 wildfire 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

Davis County is significantly riskier than the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is 10.7 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 Davis County, IA?
Davis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Davis County?
Davis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (69th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 69th 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 Davis County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Davis County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Davis County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Davis County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Davis County's tornado risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Davis County is at the 33th 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 Davis County higher risk than average?
Davis County's composite risk score of 50th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (69th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.