riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Fulton County Disaster Risk

Fulton County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Fulton County

Risk Verdict

Fulton County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 59th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Fulton County, scoring in the 79th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 74th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (58th), hurricane (24th), wildfire (5th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Fulton County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Fulton County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Illinois. Its composite risk score is within 4.5 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Illinois as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Fulton County, IL?
Fulton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Fulton County?
Fulton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (79th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 79th 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 Fulton County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Fulton County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fulton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Fulton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Fulton County's earthquake risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fulton County is at the 58th 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.
Why is Fulton County higher risk than average?
Fulton County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (79th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Logan County

Illinois

-0.9

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Boone County

Illinois

-1.7

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Knox County

Illinois

-1.8

Relatively Low

57th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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