Natural Disaster Risk in Forest City
Iowa
Risk Summary for Forest City
Forest City scores 4.7/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Drought.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Forest City, Iowa
Forest City, in Winnebago County, is a town of roughly 5,771 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather, and in particular a tornado-active spring season. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Forest City residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Forest City carries an overall risk score of 4.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. Drought is the leading natural hazard, with multi-year dry periods capable of depleting water supplies, devastating agriculture, and increasing wildfire risk across the region. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and winter.
Within Iowa, Forest City's risk is, slightly below the 5.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Winnebago County identifies drought as the foremost hazard, followed by cold wave and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Forest City's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that drought exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Forest City: Drought preparedness
- Follow local water-use restrictions, which may be enacted during severe drought conditions.
- Adopt water-efficient landscaping and fixtures to reduce strain during extended dry periods.
- Be aware that prolonged drought raises secondary risks including wildfire and foundation soil movement.
Local Factors for Forest City
These city-level factors differentiate Forest City from other communities in Winnebago County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
5,771
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 43.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 2.4/10
Coordinates
43.2626° N, 93.6624° W
Winnebago County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Forest City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Forest City
Other cities in Iowa
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.