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

Edwards County Disaster Risk

Edwards County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#86

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Edwards County, Illinois

Edwards ranks safest among eight counties

Edwards County's 26.14 composite risk score achieves "Very Low" status and sits far below the national average for natural disasters. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from the multi-hazard exposure facing most American households.

Illinois's second-safest county

Edwards's 26.14 score ranks it among the two lowest-risk counties in Illinois, substantially below the 54.46 state average. Only Cumberland County (25.86) matches Edwards's minimal natural disaster exposure across the entire state.

Virtually tied with Cumberland for safest

Edwards (26.14) and Cumberland (25.86) represent the two safest counties in south-central Illinois, separated by less than half a point. Crawford (37.02) and De Witt (29.26) follow at a noticeable distance, making Edwards and Cumberland a uniquely protected pair.

Tornado risk slightly elevated

Tornadoes represent Edwards's primary concern at 30.03, followed by earthquakes (83.68) and hurricanes (22.95) as secondary considerations. Flooding at 21.50 and wildfire at just 0.76 round out an exceptionally favorable hazard profile for residents.

Basic coverage provides strong protection

Standard homeowners insurance paired with basic tornado awareness covers Edwards County's primary natural disaster exposure quite thoroughly. The county's remarkably low overall risk means households can focus on general preparedness rather than specialized coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Edwards County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    23th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Edwards County

Risk Verdict

At the 26th percentile nationally, Edwards County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 26th percentile nationally is an advantage for Edwards County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Edwards County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (23th percentile), flood (22th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Edwards County ranks at the 84th 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. The county's tornado risk at the 30th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Edwards 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 28.3 points below the Illinois state average puts Edwards County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Edwards 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 Edwards County, IL?
Edwards County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Edwards County?
Edwards County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (84th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 84th 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 Edwards County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Edwards County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Edwards County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Edwards County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Edwards County's earthquake risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Edwards County is at the 22th 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 Edwards County a safe place to live?
Edwards County's composite risk score of 26th 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 84th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ford County

Illinois

+0.1

Very Low

26th percentile

Cumberland County

Illinois

-0.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Marshall County

Illinois

+1.1

Very Low

27th 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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