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

Edgar County Disaster Risk

Edgar County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

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 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Edgar County, Illinois

Edgar well below national disaster average

Edgar County's composite risk score of 34.92 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it substantially below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Residents enjoy significantly better odds than typical Americans across multiple hazard categories.

Among Illinois's safer counties

Edgar's 34.92 score falls well below Illinois's 54.46 state average, ranking it in the lower third of the state's counties. The county demonstrates consistent resilience against multiple natural hazard types compared to state norms.

Comparable to southern Illinois cluster

Edgar (34.92) ranks slightly riskier than Crawford (37.02) but safer than most of Illinois, sitting near Cumberland (25.86) and De Witt (29.26). This grouping of counties reflects the low-risk characteristics of south-central Illinois.

Tornado and hurricane exposure notable

Tornadoes present Edgar's highest risk at 48.09, followed by surprisingly elevated hurricane exposure at 42.59 for a central Illinois county. Earthquakes (82.63) rank high numerically but remain below state averages in practical impact.

Tornado insurance and planning key

Standard homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind coverage protects against Edgar's primary tornado threat, supplemented by a household severe weather plan. Given the county's very low overall risk, basic preparedness provides excellent protection for residents.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Edgar County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    43th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Edgar County

Risk Verdict

Edgar County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 35th percentile nationally. A 35th percentile score positions Edgar 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 Edgar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (43th percentile), flood (30th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Edgar County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Tornado at the 48th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Edgar County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Edgar County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Illinois county average exceeds Edgar County's score by 19.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Edgar 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 Edgar County, IL?
Edgar County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Edgar County?
Edgar County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (83th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 83th 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 Edgar County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Edgar County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Edgar County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Edgar County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Edgar County's earthquake risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Edgar County is at the 30th 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 Edgar County a safe place to live?
Edgar County's composite risk score of 35th 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 83th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Piatt County

Illinois

+0.0

Very Low

35th percentile

Gallatin County

Illinois

-1.0

Very Low

34th percentile

Bond County

Illinois

+1.3

Very Low

36th 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.

Explore more data for Edgar County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score