riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Woodbury County Disaster Risk

Woodbury County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Woodbury County

Risk Verdict

Woodbury County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Woodbury County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 87th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (78th), earthquake (31th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Woodbury 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

Woodbury County is significantly riskier than the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is 43.6 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Woodbury County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Woodbury County, IA?
Woodbury County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Woodbury County?
Woodbury County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (97th percentile), wildfire (87th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 97th 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 Woodbury County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Woodbury County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Woodbury County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Woodbury County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Woodbury County's tornado risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Woodbury County is at the 78th 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 Woodbury County higher risk than average?
Woodbury County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (97th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding 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

Scott County

Iowa

+1.6

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Pottawattamie County

Iowa

-2.8

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Linn County

Iowa

+3.4

Relatively Moderate

87th 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.

Explore more data for Woodbury County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score