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

Fremont County Disaster Risk

Fremont County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#94

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fremont County, Iowa

Fremont County ranks among safest

Fremont County's composite risk score of 14.98 places it far below the national average, earning a "Very Low" risk designation. The county is among America's safest for natural disaster exposure, with minimal hazard exposure overall.

Iowa's lowest-risk county tier

Fremont County scores 14.98 against Iowa's 39.68 state average, ranking it in the state's safest cohort. The county has substantially lower natural disaster risk than virtually all other Iowa counties.

Southwest Iowa's safest county

Fremont County's 14.98 score is the lowest or tied lowest in its region, including versus Guthrie County (26.53) to the north and Greene County (31.77) to the east. Its position in southwest Iowa puts it away from major storm corridors.

Wildfire and tornado, but minor

Wildfire risk is Fremont County's highest threat at 36.83, followed by tornado risk at 45.67—both modest by national standards. The county faces virtually no hurricane risk (0.00) and minimal earthquake exposure at 13.33.

Basic coverage meets local needs

Fremont County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized additions for flood or hurricane coverage. A simple tornado safety plan and awareness of wildfire conditions during dry seasons provide adequate protection for this very low-risk area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fremont County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    37th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    18th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fremont County

Risk Verdict

Fremont County's overall natural disaster score at the 15th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. The 15th percentile national ranking is one lens; Fremont County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Fremont County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (18th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 46th percentile nationally, Fremont County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 37th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Fremont County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Fremont County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Fremont County's composite risk score sits 24.7 points below the Iowa county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Fremont 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 Fremont County, IA?
Fremont County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Fremont County?
Fremont County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (46th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 46th 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 Fremont County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Fremont County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fremont County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Fremont County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Fremont County's tornado risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Fremont County is at the 18th 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.
Is Fremont County a safe place to live?
Fremont County's composite risk score of 15th percentile is below the Iowa state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 46th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.