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

Fayette County Disaster Risk

Fayette County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fayette County, Illinois

Fayette slightly below U.S. median risk

Fayette County's composite score of 48.76 places it comfortably below the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county faces natural hazards that are generally more manageable than most U.S. counties.

Among Illinois's safer counties

At 48.76, Fayette scores notably below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This 5.7-point gap reflects Fayette's more favorable risk profile relative to typical Illinois communities.

Less risky than most surrounding areas

Fayette's 48.76 score beats Franklin County (80.95) and Fulton County (59.00) significantly, though Ford County's 26.21 remains considerably lower. Fayette residents enjoy better odds than most of southern-central Illinois.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead concerns

Earthquake risk (86.07) and tornado risk (53.44) represent Fayette's dominant hazards, though both remain below peak danger levels. Flood risk (49.52) and hurricane risk (42.34) pose secondary but meaningful threats.

Add earthquake coverage to standard policy

Most homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake insurance essential in Fayette County given its 86.07 score. Verify your policy includes tornado and wind coverage, which is standard but worth confirming.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fayette County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Fayette County

Risk Verdict

Fayette County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 49th percentile across all U.S. counties. The 49th percentile national ranking is one lens; Fayette County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Fayette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 86th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Fayette County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 53th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Fayette County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Fayette County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Fayette County is 5.7 composite risk points below the Illinois state mean, meaning most other Illinois counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Fayette 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 Fayette County, IL?
Fayette County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Fayette County?
Fayette County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 86th 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 Fayette County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Fayette County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fayette County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Fayette County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Fayette County's earthquake risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fayette County is at the 50th 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 Fayette County a safe place to live?
Fayette County's composite risk score of 49th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pulaski County

Illinois

+0.3

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Lawrence County

Illinois

+0.5

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Richland County

Illinois

-2.1

Relatively Low

47th 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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