Emmet County Disaster Risk

Emmet County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Is your home insured against Emmet County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Emmet County, IA?
Emmet County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 43th 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 Emmet County?
Emmet County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (43th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 43th 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 Emmet County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Emmet County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Emmet County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Emmet County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Emmet County's tornado risk is at the 43th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Emmet County is at the 20th 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 Emmet County higher risk than average?
Emmet County's composite risk score of 43th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (43th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

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.