Kendall County Disaster Risk
Kendall County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
80th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
80th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County faces elevated tornado exposure
Kendall County's composite risk score of 80.25 exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46 by roughly 47%, earning a relatively low risk rating. The score reflects significant tornado risk (89.66) and flood exposure (79.74), though other hazard types remain more moderate.
Upper-tier risk among Illinois counties
Kendall County's 80.25 score places it in the upper range of statewide risk, significantly above the state average of 54.46. The county's tornado risk of 89.66 is among the highest in Illinois, while flood risk of 79.74 also ranks above most counties.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Kendall County's 80.25 score exceeds Johnson County (51.08) and Jo Daviess County (51.30) but falls below Kane County (94.59) and Kankakee County (88.23). This positions Kendall as a moderate-to-high-risk county in its region.
Tornadoes and floods are dominant threats
Kendall County's tornado risk of 89.66 is exceptionally high, while flood risk of 79.74 represents the second major hazard. Earthquake exposure of 66.48 is moderate, and wildfire and hurricane risks remain minimal at 14.25 and 9.93 respectively.
Storm and flood protection is critical
Kendall County residents should prioritize flood insurance and ensure comprehensive tornado coverage through their homeowners policy or a separate rider. Building or designating a safe room, securing outdoor objects, and maintaining emergency supplies are essential given the county's exceptional tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kendall County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kendall County
Risk Verdict
Kendall County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 80th percentile across all U.S. counties. Kendall County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Kendall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (66th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Kendall County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Kendall County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Kendall County at the 80th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Kendall County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 25.8 points above the Illinois state average puts Kendall County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Kendall County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kendall County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Kendall County?
How does Kendall County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Kendall County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Kendall 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.