Webster County Disaster Risk
Webster County, Iowa
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
60th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 99 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
47th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% 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 13% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Webster County, Iowa
Webster faces above-average natural hazards
Webster County scores 59.99, placing it in the Relatively Low category but 51% above the national average. The county experiences substantially more severe weather exposure than typical U.S. communities.
One of Iowa's highest-risk counties
Webster ranks well above Iowa's state average of 39.68 with a score of 59.99, among the state's top hazard-exposed counties. This elevated risk stems primarily from exceptional tornado vulnerability.
Significantly riskier than most neighbors
Webster (59.99) substantially exceeds Winnebago (30.66) and Winneshiek (36.20), approaching the extreme risk level of Wapello (65.33). The county ranks among Iowa's riskiest communities overall.
Tornadoes present extraordinary threat
Tornado risk soars to 92.08 in Webster County—one of the highest scores in the entire nation. Flood risk at 47.11 ranks second, while wildfire risk remains surprisingly low at 19.15.
Tornado insurance is non-negotiable
Webster residents face severe tornado risk (92.08) and must prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage in any homeowners policy. Consider additional umbrella or storm-specific policies given the extraordinary tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Webster County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Webster County
Risk Verdict
Webster County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Webster County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Webster County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (21th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile), hurricane (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado risk is Webster County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. For Webster County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Flood is the second hazard driver for Webster County at the 47th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Webster County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.
Regional Context
Webster County's composite risk score sits 20.3 points above the Iowa county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Webster County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Webster County, IA?
What types of natural hazards affect Webster County?
How does Webster County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Is Webster County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Webster County higher risk than average?
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.