riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Madison County Disaster Risk

Madison County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Madison County

Risk Verdict

Madison County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 36th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Madison County, scoring in the 60th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 55th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (37th), earthquake (18th), hurricane (9th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Madison County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Madison County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is within 4.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Iowa as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Madison County, IA?
Madison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Madison County?
Madison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (60th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 60th 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 Madison County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Madison County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Madison County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Madison County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Madison County's wildfire risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Madison County is at the 37th 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 Madison County a safe place to live?
Madison County's composite risk score of 36th 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 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jackson County

Iowa

+0.5

Very Low

36th percentile

Warren County

Iowa

+0.6

Very Low

36th percentile

Winneshiek County

Iowa

+0.7

Very Low

36th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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