riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cook County Disaster Risk

Cook County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very High

National Percentile

100th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

100th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cook County

Risk Verdict

Cook County carries a very high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Cook County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 100th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (98th), wildfire (56th), hurricane (49th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Cook County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Cook County is significantly riskier than the average county in Illinois. Its composite risk score is 45.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cook County, IL?
Cook County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very High, placing it in the 100th 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 Cook County?
Cook County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (100th percentile), flooding (100th percentile), earthquake (98th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 100th 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 Cook County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Cook County's composite risk percentile is 100th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cook County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Cook County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cook County's tornado risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cook County is at the 100th 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 Cook County higher risk than average?
Cook County's composite risk score of 100th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and wildfire 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

DuPage County

Illinois

-2.3

Relatively High

98th percentile

Will County

Illinois

-2.7

Relatively High

97th percentile

Lake County

Illinois

-4.0

Relatively High

96th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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