Crawford County Disaster Risk
Crawford County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#73
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Crawford County, Illinois
Crawford ranks well below national risk
With a composite risk score of 37.02, Crawford County sits firmly in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. This means residents face substantially lower exposure to natural disasters than most Americans, though localized hazards still warrant attention.
Among Illinois's safer counties
Crawford's 37.02 score ranks it in the lower third of Illinois counties, where the state average is 54.46. The county consistently underperforms the state average across multiple hazard types, making it one of Illinois's more naturally resilient communities.
Comparable to nearby southern Illinois
Cumberland County (25.86) and Edwards County (26.14) carry even lower risk, while De Witt County (29.26) sits just slightly below Crawford. All four counties cluster in the very low risk range, reflecting similar geographic and climatic conditions across this region of Illinois.
Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats
Crawford faces its highest relative risks from earthquakes (84.83) and tornadoes (44.37), though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flooding at 43.70 rounds out the significant concerns, making preparedness for severe weather the priority for residents.
Secure coverage for weather hazards
Despite low overall risk, tornado and flood insurance deserve consideration given Crawford's moderate exposure to these events. A conversation with a local insurance agent about your specific property location can ensure you're protected against the county's primary threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Crawford County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Crawford County
Risk Verdict
At the 37th percentile nationally, Crawford County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 37th percentile, Crawford County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Crawford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (44th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Crawford County ranks at the 85th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 44th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Crawford County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Crawford County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
A composite score 17.4 points below the Illinois state average puts Crawford County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Crawford County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Crawford County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Crawford County?
How does Crawford County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Crawford County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Crawford 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.