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

Monroe County Disaster Risk

Monroe County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#98

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Iowa

Monroe County ranks among safest in nation

With a composite risk score of just 10.31, Monroe County ranks Very Low and sits among America's lowest-risk counties. Your community faces minimal combined exposure to major natural disasters.

Iowa's safest county in this group

Monroe County's 10.31 score is less than one-quarter of Iowa's state average of 39.68. You enjoy exceptional protection compared to most other Iowa counties.

Most protected county in the region

Monroe County (10.31) is significantly safer than all surrounding counties, including Mills County (18.48) and Osceola County (14.85). Your geography and location provide exceptional natural disaster protection.

Tornados present minimal but real risk

Even Monroe County's highest risk—tornadoes at 39.92—sits below state and national averages. All other hazards, from wildfire (40.01) to earthquake (14.50) to flooding (9.06), present very limited threat.

Basic preparedness covers your needs

While Monroe County's overall risk is extremely low, maintaining standard homeowners insurance and a basic emergency kit remains prudent. Your low-risk status means you can prioritize financial resources elsewhere while staying reasonably prepared.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Monroe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    40th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Monroe County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Monroe County ranks at the 10th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Monroe County's favorable 10th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (15th percentile), flood (9th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Monroe County sits at the 40th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Monroe County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 40th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Monroe County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 29.4 points below the Iowa state average, Monroe County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Monroe 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 Monroe County, IA?
Monroe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (40th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), flooding (9th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 40th 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 Monroe County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Monroe County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Monroe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Monroe County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Monroe County's wildfire risk is at the 40th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Monroe County is at the 9th 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 Monroe County a safe place to live?
Monroe County's composite risk score of 10th 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 40th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Worth County

Iowa

-0.4

Very Low

10th percentile

Grundy County

Iowa

+2.8

Very Low

13th percentile

Ringgold County

Iowa

+3.8

Very Low

14th 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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