Warren County Disaster Risk
Warren County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
36th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#49
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Iowa
Warren sits comfortably below national risk
Warren County's composite risk score of 36.10 and Very Low rating indicate substantially lower natural disaster exposure than the average U.S. county. The county benefits from a favorable geographic position with limited multi-hazard overlap.
Among Iowa's safest communities
Warren scores 36.10, placing it well below Iowa's state average of 39.68, ranking among the state's lowest-risk counties. This favorable position reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types.
Safer than most neighboring counties
Warren's Very Low risk outperforms regional neighbors including Washington (44.18) and Wapello (65.33). Only Van Buren (33.62) and Wayne (22.01) offer comparable safety profiles in the surrounding area.
Tornadoes and wildfires pose biggest threats
Tornado risk registers at 65.87 and wildfire risk at 59.41, making these Warren's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood risk remains moderate at 35.94, below state average.
Prioritize storm damage and wildfire prep
Warren homeowners should ensure wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, then add wildfire liability coverage if available. Though your overall risk is low, these two hazards warrant specific insurance attention.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Warren County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Warren County
Risk Verdict
Warren County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 36th percentile nationally. Warren County residents can take confidence from a 36th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 66th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Warren County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Warren County at the 59th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. For Warren County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.
Regional Context
Warren County tracks the Iowa county average closely, sitting 3.6 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Iowa.
Is your household prepared for Warren County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Warren County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Warren County?
How does Warren County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Warren County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Warren County a safe place to live?
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.