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

Brown County Disaster Risk

Brown County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#101

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Brown County, Illinois

Brown County ranks among nation's safest

Brown County scores just 4.74 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure across all major hazard types.

Illinois's safest county overall

Brown County's 4.74 composite score is by far the lowest in Illinois, sitting far below the state average of 54.46. No other Illinois county comes remotely close to this level of natural disaster safety.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Brown County's 4.74 score is vastly lower than every nearby county—Calhoun County (6.08) ranks second in the region, followed by Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and Alexander County (44.08). The difference is so pronounced that Brown County stands in a category of its own locally.

Minimal hazard exposure across all types

Brown County's most significant risk is tornado exposure at 17.75, which remains very low compared to state and national standards. Flood risk (4.07), earthquake risk (27.99), and wildfire risk (0.22) all register as negligible threats.

Standard insurance provides solid coverage

Brown County residents enjoy exceptional natural disaster safety, so standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without special add-ons. Focus your preparedness efforts on general home maintenance and keeping emergency supplies, since specialized disaster insurance is unlikely to be cost-effective here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Brown County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    28th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Brown County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Brown County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 5th percentile. At the 5th percentile nationally, Brown County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Brown County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (9th percentile), flood (4th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 28th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Brown County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 18th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Brown County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Brown County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Brown County is 49.7 composite risk points below the Illinois state mean, meaning most other Illinois counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Brown 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 Brown County, IL?
Brown County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Brown County?
Brown County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (28th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), flooding (4th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 28th 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 Brown County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Brown County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Brown County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Brown County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Brown County's earthquake risk is at the 28th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Brown County is at the 4th 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 Brown County a safe place to live?
Brown County's composite risk score of 5th 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 28th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Calhoun County

Illinois

+1.3

Very Low

6th percentile

Scott County

Illinois

-2.0

Very Low

3th percentile

Stark County

Illinois

+2.5

Very Low

7th 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.

Explore more data for Brown County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score