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

Jefferson County Disaster Risk

Jefferson County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Iowa

Jefferson County ranks among nation's safest

Jefferson County's composite risk score of 27.07 sits well below the national average of 39.68, earning a very low risk rating. The county experiences substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most American communities.

Iowa's lowest-risk county overall

Jefferson County scores 27.07, significantly below Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it the safest county in the state. The county's very low rating reflects minimal exposure across most major hazard categories.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Jefferson County's score of 27.07 is notably lower than neighboring Jackson County (36.07) and substantially below Lee County (62.95). The county stands out as a relative haven from natural disaster risk in southeastern Iowa.

Wildfire and tornado risks merit awareness

Despite overall low risk, Jefferson County residents face wildfire risk at 54.68 and tornado risk at 54.13, the two most significant hazards. These moderate scores warrant standard precautions despite the county's favorable overall risk profile.

Standard coverage sufficient for this county

Jefferson County's low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection for most residents. Ensure your policy covers wind and tornado damage, and maintain defensible space around your property to minimize wildfire exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jefferson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 27th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Jefferson County residents can take confidence from a 27th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), flood (20th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Jefferson County's primary hazard at the 55th percentile nationally. For Jefferson County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 54th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Jefferson County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Iowa county average, Jefferson County's composite score runs 12.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, IA?
Jefferson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 55th 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 Jefferson County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Jefferson County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jefferson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Jefferson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jefferson County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jefferson 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.
Is Jefferson County a safe place to live?
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 27th 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 wildfire at the 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Butler County

Iowa

+0.0

Very Low

27th percentile

Sac County

Iowa

+0.2

Very Low

27th percentile

Guthrie County

Iowa

-0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

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.

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