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

Bureau County Disaster Risk

Bureau County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bureau County, Illinois

Bureau County's risk moderately elevated

Bureau County scores 62.28 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeding the national average. This score reflects significant exposure to tornadoes (81.71) and floods (63.36), plus elevated earthquake risk (74.01).

Among Illinois's higher-risk counties

At 62.28, Bureau County ranks in the upper tier of Illinois counties for disaster risk, substantially exceeding the state average of 54.46. Only a handful of Illinois counties face comparable or greater overall natural hazard exposure.

Highest-risk county in its region

Bureau County's 62.28 score makes it the highest-risk county in its immediate area, substantially exceeding Adams County (64.19) only slightly—the two counties are roughly equivalent. Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and Alexander County (44.08) all present substantially lower composite risk.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes loom large

Bureau County faces exceptional tornado risk at 81.71—the highest in the region—plus significant flood exposure (63.36) and elevated earthquake risk (74.01). These three distinct hazards create a complex and serious risk profile demanding comprehensive preparedness.

Secure multiple coverages for compound risks

Bureau County's triple threat of tornado (81.71), flood (63.36), and earthquake (74.01) risks means relying on standard homeowners insurance alone is insufficient. Contact an agent to add flood insurance and evaluate earthquake coverage, then create a tornado action plan with safe-room identification and regular safety drills.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bureau County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    63th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bureau County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 62th, Bureau County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bureau County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (63th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 82th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Bureau County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 74th percentile nationally means Bureau County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Bureau County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

At 7.8 points above the Illinois state average, Bureau County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Illinois county.

Is your household prepared for Bureau 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 Bureau County, IL?
Bureau County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Bureau County?
Bureau County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (82th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 82th 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 Bureau County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Bureau County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bureau County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Bureau County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bureau County's tornado risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bureau County is at the 63th 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.
Why is Bureau County higher risk than average?
Bureau County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (82th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Douglas County

Illinois

-0.2

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Massac County

Illinois

-0.7

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Adams County

Illinois

+1.9

Relatively Low

64th 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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