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

Pocahontas County Disaster Risk

Pocahontas County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pocahontas County, Iowa

Pocahontas County sits safely below national risk

With a composite risk score of 33.05 and a Very Low rating, Pocahontas County falls below the U.S. average and represents a relatively safe natural disaster environment. Low earthquake and wildfire risks contribute to this favorable profile.

Among Iowa's safest counties by risk measure

Pocahontas County's 33.05 score ranks well below Iowa's average of 39.68, placing it in the safer tier of the state's 99 counties. This makes it one of the more resilient areas against the state's typical disaster threats.

Safer than western neighbors, similar to eastern

Pocahontas County's risk sits between Palo Alto County's very low exposure (15.46) to the south and Plymouth County's elevated risk (49.20) to the west. Regional peers show similar profiles, making Pocahontas part of a relatively safe zone.

Tornadoes dominate your natural hazard exposure

Tornado risk (49.65) is your county's primary concern, while flood risk (18.10) and earthquake risk (11.80) remain low. Notably, wildfire risk (4.23) is among the lowest in the region, reflecting the county's agrarian landscape.

Prioritize tornado preparedness and coverage

Pocahontas County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with comprehensive tornado and wind coverage as the core protection strategy. Develop a family tornado safety plan with a basement shelter or interior room, and monitor weather during spring severe season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pocahontas County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pocahontas County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Pocahontas County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 33th percentile. The 33th percentile national ranking is one lens; Pocahontas County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Pocahontas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 50th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (12th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 50th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Pocahontas County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Pocahontas County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Pocahontas County at the 18th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Pocahontas 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

Pocahontas County is 6.6 composite risk points below the Iowa state mean, meaning most other Iowa counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas County, IA?
Pocahontas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Pocahontas County?
Pocahontas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (50th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 50th 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 Pocahontas County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Pocahontas County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pocahontas County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Pocahontas County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pocahontas County's tornado risk is at the 50th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Pocahontas County is at the 18th 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 Pocahontas County a safe place to live?
Pocahontas County's composite risk score of 33th 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 50th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jones County

Iowa

-0.4

Very Low

33th percentile

Van Buren County

Iowa

+0.6

Very Low

34th percentile

Montgomery County

Iowa

+0.6

Very Low

34th 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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