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

Grundy County Disaster Risk

Grundy County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#97

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grundy County, Iowa

Grundy County ranks exceptionally safe

Grundy County's composite risk score of 13.14 places it among the lowest-risk counties nationwide, earning a "Very Low" designation. The county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.

Iowa's safest risk profile

Grundy County scores 13.14 against Iowa's 39.68 state average, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county enjoys substantially lower natural hazard exposure than nearly all other Iowa counties.

One of region's safest areas

Grundy County's 13.14 score ties it with Fremont County (14.98) as among the lowest-risk counties in central-eastern Iowa. It ranks safer than all nearby counties including Franklin (21.95) and Fayette (50.89).

Tornado risk dominates minimal threats

Tornado risk is Grundy County's highest hazard at 34.76, though even this ranks low nationally. Flood risk at 14.19 and wildfire at 8.05 complete a hazard profile that ranks among America's safest.

Standard insurance suffices here

Grundy County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance coverage without needing specialized flood or additional wind policies. Maintain a basic tornado safety plan, but the county's low hazard exposure means emergency preparedness is straightforward compared to most regions.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grundy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grundy County

Risk Verdict

Grundy County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 13th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Grundy County's favorable 13th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grundy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (10th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Grundy County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 35th percentile nationally. For Grundy County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 14th percentile nationally means Grundy County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Grundy County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Iowa county average exceeds Grundy County's score by 26.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Grundy 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 Grundy County, IA?
Grundy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Grundy County?
Grundy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (35th percentile), flooding (14th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 35th 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 Grundy County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Grundy County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grundy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Grundy County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grundy County's tornado risk is at the 35th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Grundy County is at the 14th 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 Grundy County a safe place to live?
Grundy County's composite risk score of 13th 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 35th 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.