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

Winnebago County Disaster Risk

Winnebago County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

31th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Winnebago County, Iowa

Winnebago sits well below national average

Winnebago County scores 30.66 in the Very Low risk category, placing it 23% below the national average. The county enjoys minimal natural disaster exposure compared to typical American regions.

Among Iowa's safest counties

Winnebago scores 30.66, well below Iowa's state average of 39.68, ranking among the state's lowest-risk communities. The county's favorable position reflects moderate hazard exposure across all categories.

Safest county in northern Iowa cluster

Winnebago (30.66) outperforms neighboring Winneshiek (36.20) and significantly exceeds Webster (59.99). Only Wayne County (22.01) offers lower overall risk in the broader region.

Tornadoes top the list, others minimal

Tornado risk at 45.83 represents Winnebago's primary hazard concern, though wildfire risk remains exceptionally low at 13.61. Flood and earthquake risks remain below state averages.

Standard coverage with tornado protection

Winnebago residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, but can likely skip specialized flood or wildfire riders. Your county's low overall risk means competitive standard policies offer excellent value.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Winnebago County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Winnebago County

Risk Verdict

At the 31th percentile nationally, Winnebago County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 31th percentile nationally, Winnebago County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Winnebago County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Winnebago County ranks at the 46th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Winnebago County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 26th percentile nationally means Winnebago County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Winnebago County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 9.0 points below the Iowa state average puts Winnebago County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Winnebago 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 Winnebago County, IA?
Winnebago 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 Winnebago County?
Winnebago County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (46th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 46th 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 Winnebago County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Winnebago 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 Winnebago County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Winnebago County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Winnebago County's tornado risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Winnebago County is at the 26th 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 Winnebago County a safe place to live?
Winnebago 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 46th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Henry County

Iowa

+0.2

Very Low

31th percentile

Poweshiek County

Iowa

+0.6

Very Low

31th percentile

Harrison County

Iowa

+0.6

Very Low

31th 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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