Hancock County Disaster Risk
Hancock County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
31th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#78
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
24th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% 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 35% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hancock County, Illinois
Hancock County's national standing
Hancock County scores 31.08 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that falls significantly below Illinois' state average of 54.46. Your county's hazard exposure sits roughly 43% lower than typical state-level risk, positioning it among America's safer counties for natural disasters. This protective standing reflects a mix of geographic and structural advantages.
One of Illinois' lowest-risk counties
Hancock County ranks in the bottom quartile of Illinois counties by composite score, with only a handful of peers experiencing lower overall natural disaster risk. At 31.08, your county underperforms the state average of 54.46 by more than 20 points, indicating substantial resilience compared to most Illinois communities. This favorable position reflects consistently moderate or low scores across all major hazard types.
Risk in context with neighbors
Hancock County's 31.08 score sits between safer Hardin County (8.30) and riskier Henry County (57.09), positioning it in the moderate-low range of west-central Illinois. Henderson County (17.53) offers slightly better protection, while Jackson County (87.12) to the south faces nearly three times the hazard exposure. Local variation suggests that county-level decisions about flooding and tornado preparedness matter significantly.
The hazards worth preparing for
Flooding carries the highest relative risk at 24.17, driven by Hancock's proximity to the Mississippi River and local stream networks that can swell during heavy rains. Tornadoes rank second at 34.51, a springtime threat that requires a practiced shelter plan and weather awareness during severe thunderstorm season. Earthquakes (40.55) and hurricanes (24.78) pose secondary but real risks that deserve periodic attention.
Insurance and preparedness steps
Flood insurance is essential in Hancock County, particularly for properties in mapped flood zones or near river corridors—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage entirely. Add earthquake coverage to your homeowners policy if you lack it, given the moderate seismic hazard (40.55) that could damage foundations and structural integrity. Store emergency supplies, maintain a tornado safe room, and test your family's communication plan twice yearly.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hancock County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hancock County
Risk Verdict
Hancock County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 31th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 31th percentile nationally is an advantage for Hancock County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Hancock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (25th percentile), flood (24th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 41th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Hancock 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, Hancock County's tornado risk at the 35th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Hancock 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
Hancock County falls 23.4 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 Hancock County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hancock County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Hancock County?
How does Hancock County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Hancock County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Hancock 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.