Jasper County Disaster Risk
Jasper County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
20th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#89
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
28th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% 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
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jasper County, Illinois
Jasper County's protective position
Jasper County scores 20.42 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that sits significantly below Illinois' state average of 54.46. Your county experiences roughly 62% less natural disaster risk than typical state communities, positioning it among America's safer counties for natural disasters. This favorable standing reflects below-average exposure across most major hazard types.
Well below-average risk in Illinois
Jasper County ranks among Illinois' safest counties by composite score, placing it in the bottom quartile of state hazard exposure. At 20.42, your county's risk score is roughly one-third the state average of 54.46, indicating substantially lower vulnerability than most Illinois communities. This protective position reflects consistently low or moderate scores across flood, wildfire, tornado, and hurricane hazards.
Safer than most nearby counties
Jasper County's 20.42 risk score sits between Hardin County (8.30), the region's safest, and Hancock County (31.08) to the north. Compared to Henry County (57.09) and especially Jackson County (87.12), Jasper offers dramatically better protection—roughly one-third and one-quarter the risk respectively. This variation suggests that local geography significantly shapes disaster vulnerability across south-central Illinois.
Hurricanes and earthquakes rank highest
Hurricanes present the highest relative risk at 32.42, reflecting Jasper's location where tropical storm remnants can reach inland Illinois with diminished but still dangerous wind and rain. Earthquakes rank second at 75.60, though actual tremors remain infrequent—the moderate score reflects regional seismic hazard rather than historical frequency. Flooding (28.37) and tornadoes (29.36) pose secondary but real risks worth preparing for.
Practical protection in a safe county
While Jasper County faces lower overall risk, comprehensive homeowners insurance with adequate replacement cost coverage remains essential—hurricanes and tornadoes can still cause significant damage. Establish a tornado safety plan: identify shelter locations, practice emergency procedures annually, and stay weather-alert during spring and early summer. Consider earthquake coverage as a low-cost add-on; at 75.60, the risk warrants peace of mind, and policies are typically inexpensive in low-risk counties.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jasper County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jasper County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Jasper County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 20th percentile. Jasper County's 20th 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 Jasper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (29th percentile), flood (28th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 76th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Jasper County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Jasper County's hurricane risk at the 32th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Jasper County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
Jasper County is 34.0 composite risk points below the Illinois state mean, meaning most other Illinois counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Jasper County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jasper County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Jasper County?
How does Jasper County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Jasper County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Jasper 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.