Effingham County Disaster Risk
Effingham County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
54th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#55
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
49th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Effingham County, Illinois
Effingham sits near U.S. risk average
With a composite risk score of 53.75, Effingham County ranks slightly below the national median for natural disaster risk. The county's "Relatively Low" rating means residents face manageable but not negligible hazards compared to the typical American county.
Nearly average for Illinois
Effingham's score of 53.75 tracks almost exactly with Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk profile. This means Effingham faces typical exposure to the natural hazards that define the Illinois landscape.
Safer than most regional peers
Effingham's 53.75 score outperforms Franklin County (80.95) and Grundy County (66.51) but trails Ford County's notably lower 26.21. The variation across central Illinois shows that county-by-county differences matter significantly—neighboring communities can face very different risk levels.
Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate
Effingham's earthquake risk (88.55) and tornado risk (63.58) are the county's primary concerns, with both notably elevated. Flood risk (49.17) poses a moderate secondary threat, while wildfire danger remains minimal at just 10.88.
Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage
Standard homeowners policies often exclude earthquake damage—a critical gap in Effingham County. Ensure your policy covers tornado/wind damage, and strongly consider a separate earthquake rider given the county's 88.55 earthquake risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Effingham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Effingham County
Risk Verdict
Effingham County's FEMA risk score places it at the 54th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Effingham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 89th percentile nationally, Effingham County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Effingham County's tornado risk at the 64th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Effingham County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
Effingham County sits within 0.7 composite points of the Illinois state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Effingham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Effingham County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Effingham County?
How does Effingham County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Effingham County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Effingham 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.