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

Montgomery County Disaster Risk

Montgomery County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Montgomery County, Iowa

Montgomery County below national average

Montgomery County's composite risk score of 33.68 ranks as Very Low, placing it well below the U.S. average disaster exposure. Your county faces fewer combined threats than most American communities.

Lower risk than Iowa average

At 33.68, Montgomery County sits below Iowa's state average of 39.68. You rank in the safer tier of Iowa counties for natural disaster risk.

Comparable risk to nearby counties

Montgomery County (33.68) tracks closely with Mitchell County (37.69) but runs higher than Mills County (18.48). Your risk profile reflects southwestern Iowa's exposure to tornado activity.

Tornados dominate local hazards

Tornado risk at 61.61 is Montgomery County's highest threat and runs well above the state average. Wildfire (34.96) and flood (34.57) risks are secondary concerns, while earthquake (16.00) remains minimal.

Storm safety is your top priority

With tornado risk at 61.61, invest in a safe room, basement shelter, or strengthen your home's structural integrity. Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage, and maintain an updated emergency plan with your family.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Montgomery County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Montgomery County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Montgomery County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 34th percentile. At the 34th percentile, Montgomery County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Montgomery County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (35th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 62th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Montgomery County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Montgomery County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 35th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Montgomery County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Montgomery 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

Montgomery County is 6.0 composite risk points below the Iowa state mean, meaning most other Iowa counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, IA?
Montgomery County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Montgomery County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Montgomery County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Montgomery County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Montgomery County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Montgomery County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Montgomery County is at the 35th 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 Montgomery County a safe place to live?
Montgomery County's composite risk score of 34th 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 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Van Buren County

Iowa

-0.1

Very Low

34th percentile

Cherokee County

Iowa

+0.4

Very Low

34th percentile

Pocahontas County

Iowa

-0.6

Very Low

33th 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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