Clark County Disaster Risk
Clark County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
27th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#83
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
31th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Illinois
Clark County enjoys very low risk
Clark County's composite risk score of 27.32 ranks among the safest in the nation, with a Very Low risk designation. This score indicates minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.
Illinois's safest county by risk level
Clark County (27.32) significantly underperforms the Illinois state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's lowest-risk regions. Residents enjoy substantially better disaster protection than most of their fellow Illinoisans.
Safest county in east-central Illinois
Clark County (27.32) ranks safer than all neighboring counties, including Cass County (38.65), Christian County (54.04), and Coles County (70.36). Its low-risk position makes it one of the most protected areas in the region.
Hurricane and earthquake risks highest
Clark County's earthquake score of 80.92 and hurricane risk of 39.97 represent its most significant hazard exposures. Even these scores remain well below state averages, reflecting the county's overall protective position.
Maintain standard coverage as precaution
While Clark County faces minimal disaster risk, residents should still maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with attention to earthquake coverage. Protecting your investment remains prudent even in low-risk areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clark County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clark County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Clark County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 27th percentile. Residents of Clark County can use the 27th 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 Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (38th percentile), flood (31th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 81th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Clark 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. The county's hurricane risk at the 40th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For Clark 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
Clark County is 27.1 composite risk points below the Illinois state mean, meaning most other Illinois counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Clark County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clark County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Clark County?
How does Clark County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Clark County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Clark County a safe place to live?
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.