riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pottawattamie County Disaster Risk

Pottawattamie County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pottawattamie County

Risk Verdict

Pottawattamie County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 80th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Pottawattamie County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 75th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (67th), earthquake (27th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Pottawattamie County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Pottawattamie County is significantly riskier than the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is 40.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pottawattamie County, IA?
Pottawattamie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Pottawattamie County?
Pottawattamie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Pottawattamie County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Pottawattamie County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pottawattamie County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Pottawattamie County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pottawattamie County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pottawattamie County is at the 75th 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.
Why is Pottawattamie County higher risk than average?
Pottawattamie County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Woodbury County

Iowa

+2.8

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Black Hawk County

Iowa

-3.8

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Scott County

Iowa

+4.5

Relatively Moderate

85th 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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