Mahaska County Disaster Risk
Mahaska County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
30th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#65
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% 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 29% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County maintains very low risk
Mahaska County's composite risk score of 29.74 sits 25 percent below Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it solidly in the very low risk category. This favorable positioning means residents face substantially fewer natural disaster threats than the typical Iowan.
Among Iowa's safer half of counties
Mahaska ranks in the lower half of Iowa's 99 counties for natural disaster risk, with most hazard exposures running below state average. This safety profile reflects the county's geographic position and weather patterns that spare it from the state's most intense natural hazards.
Comparable to nearby Lucas and Marion
Mahaska's 29.74 score closely aligns with Lucas County (29.68) and sits only slightly below Marion County (34.35), creating a band of relatively safe south-central counties. All three rank substantially below Marshall County (62.47) to the north, illustrating the hazard gradient across the region.
Tornadoes and floods pose modest threats
Tornado risk of 54.64 is your highest exposure, though still comfortably below state average. Flood risk of 36.42 and wildfire risk of 42.37 follow close behind, creating a balanced but manageable threat profile.
Standard homeowners policy works well
Your low-risk profile means basic homeowners insurance offers solid protection without premium customization for most properties. Confirm your policy includes wind and hail coverage for tornado exposure, and review coverage limits periodically to keep pace with home values.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Mahaska County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Mahaska County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Mahaska County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 30th percentile. Residents of Mahaska County can use the 30th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Mahaska County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 55th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Mahaska County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Mahaska County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 42th percentile nationally means Mahaska County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Mahaska County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
Mahaska County is 9.9 composite risk points below the Iowa state mean, meaning most other Iowa counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Mahaska County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Mahaska County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Mahaska County?
How does Mahaska County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Mahaska County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Mahaska 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.