riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Floyd County Disaster Risk

Floyd County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Floyd County, Iowa

Floyd faces above-average US risk

Floyd County's composite risk score of 47.74 places it meaningfully above the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" designation overall. This reflects above-typical exposure to natural hazards for an American county, though risk remains moderate rather than acute.

Above Iowa's typical risk profile

At 47.74, Floyd County exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68, ranking it in the higher-risk tier statewide. The county faces more natural disaster exposure than most of its peers across the state.

Mid-range risk in northeast Iowa

Floyd County's 47.74 score falls between Fayette County (50.89) to the south and Franklin County (21.95) to the west, placing it in a moderate-risk zone regionally. Its profile aligns with counties in the northeastern corridor facing similar weather patterns.

Tornadoes and floods lead threats

Tornado risk scores 68.00 in Floyd County, making it the primary hazard residents face regularly. Flood risk at 56.27 and wildfire risk at 28.85 create a layered threat environment requiring diverse preparedness strategies.

Secure tornado and flood coverage

Floyd County residents need comprehensive homeowners insurance covering tornado and wind damage, plus flood insurance available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Consider a storm shelter or reinforced safe room given tornado risk near 68, and ensure gutters and drainage systems manage heavy rainfall.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Floyd County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    29th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Floyd County

Risk Verdict

Floyd County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 48th percentile across all U.S. counties. Being ranked at the 48th percentile nationally is an advantage for Floyd County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Floyd County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (29th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 68th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Floyd County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Floyd County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Floyd County at the 56th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Floyd County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

A composite score 8.1 points above the Iowa state average puts Floyd County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Floyd County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Floyd County, IA?
Floyd County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th 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 Floyd County?
Floyd County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (68th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 68th 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 Floyd County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Floyd County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Floyd County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Floyd County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Floyd County's tornado risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Floyd County is at the 56th 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 Floyd County higher risk than average?
Floyd County's composite risk score of 48th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (68th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.