riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Winneshiek County Disaster Risk

Winneshiek County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

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 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Winneshiek County

Risk Verdict

Winneshiek County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 36th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Winneshiek County, scoring in the 61th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 47th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (22th), hurricane (12th), earthquake (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Winneshiek 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 flood 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

Winneshiek County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is within 3.5 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 Winneshiek County, IA?
Winneshiek County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Winneshiek County?
Winneshiek County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (61th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 61th 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 Winneshiek County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Winneshiek County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Winneshiek County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Winneshiek County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Winneshiek County's tornado risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Winneshiek County is at the 47th 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 Winneshiek County a safe place to live?
Winneshiek County's composite risk score of 36th 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 61th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Warren County

Iowa

-0.1

Very Low

36th percentile

Jackson County

Iowa

-0.1

Very Low

36th percentile

Dickinson County

Iowa

+0.1

Very Low

36th 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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