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

Gallatin County Disaster Risk

Gallatin County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

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 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gallatin County, Illinois

Gallatin among America's safer counties

Gallatin County's composite risk score of 33.87 ranks well below the U.S. average, earning a "Very Low" rating. Residents here face substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

Well below Illinois state average

Gallatin's 33.87 score sits more than 20 points below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's safer regions. This significant gap reflects Gallatin's notably favorable risk profile relative to typical Illinois communities.

Among the safest in southern Illinois

Gallatin's 33.87 trails only Ford County (26.21) and Greene County (12.98) in this analysis, far outperforming Franklin (80.95) and Fulton (59.00). Gallatin residents enjoy substantially lower disaster exposure than most surrounding areas.

Earthquake risk dominates minimal threats

Gallatin's highest risk is earthquake (84.51), though all other hazards rank well below regional norms: tornado (36.99), flood (36.04), and hurricane (35.71). Wildfire risk is negligible at just 1.21.

Standard homeowners insurance typically adequate

Gallatin County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance with tornado/wind coverage provides solid protection for most residents. Consider earthquake insurance only if you want maximum protection; Gallatin's 84.51 earthquake score is manageable compared to counties like Franklin or Fulton.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gallatin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    37th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    36th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Gallatin County

Risk Verdict

Gallatin County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 34th percentile nationally. Gallatin County's 34th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Gallatin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Gallatin County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. The county's tornado risk at the 37th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Gallatin County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Illinois county average exceeds Gallatin County's score by 20.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Gallatin 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 Gallatin County, IL?
Gallatin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Gallatin County?
Gallatin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), flooding (36th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 85th 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 Gallatin County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Gallatin County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Gallatin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Gallatin County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Gallatin County's earthquake risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Gallatin County is at the 36th 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 Gallatin County a safe place to live?
Gallatin County's composite risk score of 34th 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 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Edgar County

Illinois

+1.0

Very Low

35th percentile

Piatt County

Illinois

+1.1

Very Low

35th percentile

Bond County

Illinois

+2.4

Very Low

36th 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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