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

Poweshiek County Disaster Risk

Poweshiek County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

31th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Poweshiek County, Iowa

Poweshiek County enjoys below-average disaster risk

At 31.27, Poweshiek County's composite risk score sits comfortably below the U.S. average, earning a Very Low rating. This reflects a generally safer natural disaster environment with modest exposure across most hazard types.

Among Iowa's safer counties by risk ranking

Poweshiek County's 31.27 score ranks well below Iowa's average of 39.68, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. This low-risk profile makes it a relatively secure location for residents concerned about natural disasters.

Poweshiek offers safer ground than surrounding peers

Neighboring Polk County (91.98) carries vastly higher risk, while Page County (40.20) also exceeds Poweshiek's exposure. Poweshiek County represents a notably safer pocket within central Iowa's risk landscape.

Tornadoes your main hazard, wildfire secondary

Tornado risk (59.76) is your primary concern, though moderate compared to other Iowa counties. Wildfire risk (46.06) is secondary, while flood (20.26) and earthquake (25.60) risks remain relatively low.

Standard insurance with tornado coverage suffices

Poweshiek County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with comprehensive tornado and wind damage coverage as their primary protection. A designated safe room and basic emergency supplies provide additional security during severe weather season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Poweshiek County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    26th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Poweshiek County

Risk Verdict

Poweshiek County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 31th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 31th percentile, Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (26th percentile), flood (20th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Poweshiek County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 60th percentile nationally. In Poweshiek County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Poweshiek County at the 46th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Poweshiek County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Poweshiek County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Iowa county average, Poweshiek County's composite score runs 8.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County, IA?
Poweshiek County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 31th 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 Poweshiek County?
Poweshiek County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (60th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 60th 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 Poweshiek County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Poweshiek County's composite risk percentile is 31th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Poweshiek County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Poweshiek County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Poweshiek County's tornado risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Poweshiek County is at the 20th 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 Poweshiek County a safe place to live?
Poweshiek County's composite risk score of 31th 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 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Harrison County

Iowa

+0.0

Very Low

31th percentile

Henry County

Iowa

-0.4

Very Low

31th percentile

Chickasaw County

Iowa

+0.5

Very Low

32th 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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