riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#33

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 44th 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 Washington County, scoring in the 57th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 55th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (48th), earthquake (36th), hurricane (20th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Washington 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 wildfire 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

Washington County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is within 4.5 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Iowa as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, IA?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (57th percentile), wildfire (55th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 57th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Washington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Washington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Washington County's tornado risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 48th 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 Washington County higher risk than average?
Washington County's composite risk score of 44th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (57th percentile), along with 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

Calhoun County

Iowa

+0.4

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Jasper County

Iowa

-0.5

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Tama County

Iowa

+1.1

Relatively Low

45th 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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