10 Iowa Counties With the Highest Tornado Risk in 2025

No natural disaster is as fascinating as the tornado. While I get that it wouldn't be possible to closely follow every disaster before it erupts, you don't see "mud slide chasers" or have nearly as many books or movies based on earthquakes.

Floods are biblical, but less imaginative.

Tornadoes are equal parts fascinating and terrifying. In Iowa, every spring, it feels like we brace for the worst and hope for the best.

While 2025 has, so far, been a quieter year for tornadoes, it doesn't mean we're without risk heading into June.

A Look Back: Iowa's Wild 2024 Tornado Season

2025 has been quiet, as mentioned, but it follows up on what was a wild and frightening season of tornadoes.

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We actually broke a decade-old tornado record last year. Back in 2004, there were 120 tornadoes recorded in the Hawkeye State. In 2024,131 tornadoes rolled through Iowa.

Iowa actually had more tornadoes than Florida in 2024, which is unusual:

While we can hope everything stays quiet, as it's doing and was predicted to, there are still counties in Iowa more vulnerable to tornado damage than others.

Iowa Counties Most at Risk for Tornado Damage

Of our 99 counties, the ten most at risk for tornado damage come from a story done by Home Gnome that found the U.S. counties most at risk for tornado damage this year.

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

Since tornadoes don't knock until it's too late, it's important to keep up with weather patterns no matter what, but especially in these ten counties.

For Iowa, a number of the top 10 are here in Eastern Iowa:

Polk County – Home to Des Moines, Polk County has a high population density and significant infrastructure, increasing potential tornado damage.
Linn County, in the heart of Eastern Iowa, and home to Cedar Rapids, this county's urban areas and historical tornado occurrences that contribute to its risk level.
Scott County – With cities like Davenport, Scott County's location along the Mississippi River and urban development factor into its tornado vulnerability.
Black Hawk County – Encompassing Waterloo and Cedar Falls, this county has experienced severe tornado events in the past, elevating its risk profile.
Johnson County – Home to Iowa City, the combination of population centers and past tornado activity places this county on the list.
Dallas County – As a rapidly growing area west of Des Moines, increased development contributes to its heightened tornado risk.
Story County – Including Ames, the presence of Iowa State University and associated infrastructure adds to potential tornado impacts.
Woodbury County – Containing Sioux City, this county's location in western Iowa and historical tornado data contribute to its risk assessment.
Pottawattamie County – With Council Bluffs as a major city, its position along the Missouri River and urban areas influence its tornado risk.
Dubuque County – Situated along the Mississippi River, Dubuque's topography and development are factors in its tornado vulnerability.