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

Clay County Disaster Risk

Clay County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Illinois

Clay County's risk remains quite low

With a composite risk score of 41.06, Clay County ranks well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The Very Low risk rating indicates residents face minimal combined hazard threats compared to typical American counties.

Below-average risk for Illinois

Clay County (41.06) scores substantially lower than Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it among the state's safer regions. This protective position means Clay County residents experience fewer disaster risks than most Illinoisans.

Low-risk county in southern Illinois

Clay County (41.06) ranks safer than nearby Coles County (70.36) and Clinton County (65.59), though slightly riskier than Clark County (27.32). Among its immediate neighbors, Clay County maintains one of the more protective risk profiles.

Earthquake dominates Clay's hazard profile

Earthquake risk at 86.29 far exceeds other hazard scores in Clay County, though tornado risk (41.41) represents a secondary concern. Both remain below their respective state averages despite earthquake being the county's primary exposure.

Add earthquake coverage to your policy

Clay County residents should supplement standard homeowners insurance with earthquake protection given the county's elevated seismic risk score. Review your coverage annually to ensure adequate protection across all identified hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clay County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clay County

Risk Verdict

Clay County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally. A 41th percentile score positions Clay County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (39th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 86th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Clay County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Clay County's tornado risk at the 41th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Clay County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Clay County falls 13.4 points below Illinois's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Clay 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 Clay County, IL?
Clay County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th 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 Clay County?
Clay County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 86th 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 Clay County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Clay County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clay County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Clay County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clay County's earthquake risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clay County is at the 39th 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 Clay County a safe place to live?
Clay County's composite risk score of 41th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wayne County

Illinois

-0.3

Very Low

41th percentile

Monroe County

Illinois

+0.8

Very Low

42th percentile

Woodford County

Illinois

-1.1

Very Low

40th 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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