Wright County Disaster Risk

Wright County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wright County

Risk Verdict

Wright County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 42th 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 Wright County, scoring in the 54th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 35th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (17th), hurricane (17th), wildfire (7th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Wright 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

Wright County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Iowa. Its composite risk score is within 1.8 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 Wright County, IA?
Wright County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Wright County?
Wright County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (54th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 54th 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 Wright County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Wright County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wright County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Wright County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wright County's tornado risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wright County is at the 35th 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 Wright County higher risk than average?
Wright County's composite risk score of 42th percentile is above the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (54th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.