Ford County Disaster Risk
Ford County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
26th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#85
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% 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 60% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ford County, Illinois
Ford County: Illinois's safest region
Ford County's composite risk score of 26.21 ranks among the safest places in America, earning a "Very Low" rating well below the national average. Residents here face substantially lower exposure to major natural disasters than most U.S. counties.
Lowest risk in Illinois
Ford County's 26.21 score sits nearly 28 points below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's safest communities. No other Illinois county in this analysis comes close to Ford's favorable risk profile.
Dramatically safer than surrounding areas
Ford County's 26.21 dramatically underperforms (in a good way) nearly every regional peer, from Effingham County (53.75) to Franklin County (80.95). Ford residents enjoy exceptionally low disaster exposure compared to central and southern Illinois.
Tornado risk dominates limited hazards
Even Ford's most significant hazard—tornado risk at 44.05—ranks below most Illinois counties, and earthquake (59.61) and flood (35.59) risks remain well-controlled. Wildfire and hurricane risks are negligible at 1.78 and 15.19 respectively.
Standard coverage typically sufficient here
Ford County's low risk profile means comprehensive homeowners insurance with tornado/wind coverage may be your primary natural disaster protection need. Consider earthquake insurance only if you're exceptionally risk-averse; Ford's 59.61 earthquake score is manageable.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ford County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ford County
Risk Verdict
Ford County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 26th percentile nationally. Even at the 26th percentile, Ford County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Ford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 60th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Ford 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. The county's tornado risk at the 44th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Ford 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
Ford County falls 28.3 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 Ford County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ford County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Ford County?
How does Ford County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Ford County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Ford 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.