What is the natural disaster risk in Madison County, Iowa?

Madison County, Iowa has an overall natural disaster risk score of 5.7 out of 10, rated Moderate by FEMA's National Risk Index. Its most significant hazard is Drought.

What natural hazards affect Madison County, Iowa?

The leading natural hazards for Madison County, Iowa are Drought, Landslide, Hail. These rankings come from FEMA National Risk Index data for the surrounding county.

How does the disaster risk in Madison County, Iowa compare to the rest of the US?

Madison County, Iowa's risk score of 5.7/10 is higher than the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Iowa residents can use this to gauge relative exposure to natural hazards.

Natural Disaster Risk in Madison County

Iowa

5.7out of 10

Moderate Risk

Risk Summary for Madison County

Madison County scores 5.7/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Drought.

Top Hazards

Drought Landslide Hail

All 18 Hazard Scores

Drought

9.6

Landslide

8.1

Hail

7.2

Strong Wind

6.9

Wildfire

6.5

Ice Storm

6.3

Tornado

6.1

Extreme Heat

5.8

Winter Weather

5.7

Tsunami

5.4

Cold Wave

5.2

Volcanic Activity

5.1

Coastal Flooding

4.9

Avalanche

4.5

Hurricane

3.9

Lightning

3.7

Earthquake

2.8

Riverine Flooding

1.0

How it compares

Madison County

5.7

Iowa avg.

5.4

US national avg.

4.5

Live Conditions

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🏠 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: Madison County, Iowa

Situated in the United States, Madison County in Iowa experiences a humid continental climate marked by cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather. A tornado-active spring season is a defining feature of the regional hazard profile that affects residents and property owners countywide.

Madison County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.7/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Prolonged drought is the primary hazard risk, shaped by low annual rainfall, high evaporation rates, and increasing temperature trends that deepen and lengthen dry periods. Secondary hazards include landslide and hail.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Madison County's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 5.4/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by drought and landslide, as measured by FEMA across Madison County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a moderate risk rating, Madison County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for drought is recommended.

What this means for Madison County: Drought preparedness

Be aware that prolonged drought raises secondary risks including wildfire and foundation soil movement.
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.

Cities in Madison County

Winterset5.7/10 Van Meter5.7/10 Earlham5.7/10 Saint Charles5.7/10 Cumming5.7/10 Dexter5.7/10 Truro5.7/10 Lorimor5.7/10 Patterson5.7/10 Peru5.7/10 Macksburg5.7/10 Bevington5.7/10

ZIP codes in Madison County

50273Winterset5.7 50261Van Meter5.7 50072Earlham5.7 50240Saint Charles5.7 50061Cumming5.7 50070Dexter5.7 50257Truro5.7 50149Lorimor5.7 50218Patterson5.7 50222Peru5.7 50155Macksburg5.7 50033Bevington5.7

Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. For informational purposes only.