Grundy County Disaster Risk
Grundy County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
66th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% 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 69% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Grundy County, Illinois
Grundy County moderately above U.S. risk
Grundy County's composite risk score of 66.51 exceeds the national average, though its "Relatively Low" rating indicates manageable hazard exposure. The county faces somewhat elevated natural disaster risk compared to typical American regions, primarily due to flood and tornado hazards.
Above Illinois state average
Grundy's 66.51 score exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46 by 12 points, placing it in the upper range of Illinois's risk profile. This gap reflects Grundy's notably higher exposure to flooding and tornado events.
More hazardous than most central Illinois
Grundy's 66.51 substantially exceeds Fayette (48.76) and Effingham (53.75) but remains well below Franklin County's elevated 80.95. Grundy residents face more natural disaster exposure than most of northern-central Illinois.
Flooding and tornadoes are primary concerns
Grundy County's flood risk (66.48) and tornado risk (68.77) are nearly equally serious threats, both ranking well above state norms. Wildfire (15.68) and earthquake (56.33) pose secondary considerations, while hurricane risk (9.39) is minimal.
Prioritize flood and wind coverage
Grundy County residents must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage and Grundy's 66.48 score reflects real exposure. Verify comprehensive tornado/wind coverage in your homeowners policy, which is critical given the 68.77 tornado risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Grundy County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Grundy County
Risk Verdict
Grundy County's FEMA risk score places it at the 67th 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
Tornado risk is Grundy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (56th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 69th percentile nationally makes Grundy County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Flood is the second hazard driver for Grundy County at the 66th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. In Grundy County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
The Illinois county average is 12.0 composite points below Grundy County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Grundy County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Grundy County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Grundy County?
How does Grundy County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Grundy County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Grundy County higher risk than average?
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.