riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Alexander County Disaster Risk

Alexander County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Alexander County, Illinois

Alexander County's risk falls below national average

Alexander County scores 44.08 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and well below the national average. However, this overall score masks a critical outlier: earthquake risk at 90.24, among the highest in the nation.

Below-average statewide, but with a caveat

Alexander County's 44.08 composite score places it safely below Illinois's state average of 54.46, suggesting manageable overall risk. Yet this comparison obscures an exceptional earthquake hazard (90.24) that deserves focused attention despite the lower composite rating.

Lower risk than northern neighbors

Alexander County's 44.08 composite score positions it below Bureau County (62.28) and Adams County (64.19) to the north. However, its extreme earthquake risk (90.24) makes it unique in the region and incomparable on that specific hazard dimension.

Earthquake risk is exceptionally high

Alexander County's earthquake risk score of 90.24 stands out as its dominant hazard—far exceeding flood risk (40.49) and tornado risk (43.23). This exceptional seismic exposure demands specialized preparation and insurance regardless of the county's moderate composite rating.

Earthquake insurance is essential here

With earthquake risk at 90.24—among the nation's highest—earthquake insurance is not optional but essential for Alexander County homeowners. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, so secure a dedicated earthquake policy immediately to protect your property and financial security.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Alexander County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    40th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Alexander County

Risk Verdict

Alexander County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Residents of Alexander County can use the 44th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Alexander County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (40th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Alexander County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Tornado at the 43th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Alexander County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Alexander County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Illinois county average exceeds Alexander County's score by 10.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Alexander County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Alexander County, IL?
Alexander County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Alexander County?
Alexander County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), hurricane (21th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 90th 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 Alexander County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Alexander County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Alexander County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Alexander County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Alexander County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Alexander County is at the 40th 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.
Is Alexander County a safe place to live?
Alexander County's composite risk score of 44th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Moultrie County

Illinois

+1.0

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Mason County

Illinois

-1.0

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Monroe County

Illinois

-2.2

Very Low

42th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.

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