Greene County Disaster Risk
Greene County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
32th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#59
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
12th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% 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 13% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Iowa
Greene ranks well below national risk
Greene County's composite risk score of 31.77 sits substantially below the national average, earning a "Very Low" risk rating. The county faces significantly less natural disaster exposure than typical American communities.
Below-average risk for Iowa
Greene County scores 31.77 versus Iowa's 39.68 state average, placing it among the safer Iowa counties. The county enjoys lower natural hazard exposure than most of its statewide peers.
Mid-range safety in central Iowa
Greene County's 31.77 score places it between Fremont (14.98) and Fayette (50.89) counties regionally, occupying a moderate-safety tier. It ranks safer than both Fayette and Floyd to the northeast, but faces slightly higher risk than Fremont to the southwest.
Tornadoes the primary concern
Tornado risk dominates Greene County's hazard profile at 65.52, the leading threat residents face. Flood and wildfire risks remain low at 12.02 and 10.31 respectively, creating a tornado-focused risk environment.
Prioritize tornado readiness
Greene County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and develop a household tornado safety plan with a designated shelter location. Flood insurance is unnecessary for most properties, but all residents should practice tornado drills during spring storm season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Greene County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Greene County
Risk Verdict
Greene County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 32th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Even at the 32th percentile, Greene County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 13th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (12th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Greene County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 66th percentile nationally. In Greene County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Hurricane is the second hazard driver for Greene County at the 13th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and hurricane-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Greene County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Greene County households.
Regional Context
Compared to the Iowa county average, Greene County's composite score runs 7.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Greene County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Greene County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Greene County?
How does Greene County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Greene County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Greene County a safe place to live?
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.