De Witt County Disaster Risk
De Witt County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
29th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#81
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
30th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in De Witt County, Illinois
De Witt well protected from disasters
De Witt County's composite risk score of 29.26 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it far below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Residents in De Witt enjoy substantially better odds than typical American households facing multiple hazard types.
Ranks among Illinois's safest
De Witt's 29.26 score falls in the lower quarter of Illinois counties, well below the state average of 54.46. The county's central location and geographic characteristics combine to create a comparatively low-hazard environment.
Sits between Crawford and the safest
De Witt (29.26) ranks safer than Crawford County (37.02) but slightly above Cumberland (25.86) and Edwards (26.14) in the immediate region. This foursome of Illinois counties represents the state's most naturally disaster-resistant communities.
Tornadoes present the primary threat
Tornado risk tops De Witt's hazard list at 44.12, representing the only significant exposure among multiple weather types. Earthquakes (65.74) rank second but remain relatively low in absolute terms, while flooding (30.31) and other hazards fall well below state averages.
Prioritize tornado readiness and insurance
Standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage protects against De Witt's primary tornado threat, supplemented by a household tornado safety plan. The county's low overall risk means basic preparedness steps provide excellent protection for most residents.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in De Witt County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: De Witt County
Risk Verdict
De Witt County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 29th percentile nationally. De Witt County's 29th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is De Witt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (30th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 66th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, De Witt 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. Tornado at the 44th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for De Witt County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in De Witt 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
De Witt County falls 25.2 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 De Witt County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in De Witt County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect De Witt County?
How does De Witt County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is De Witt County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is De Witt 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.