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

Macoupin County Disaster Risk

Macoupin County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Macoupin County, Illinois

Macoupin County faces moderate risk

With a composite risk score of 79.9 and a relatively low rating, Macoupin County ranks somewhat above the national average. Earthquake risk of 94.1 and tornado risk of 78.0 drive the county's exposure profile.

Above-average risk for Illinois

Macoupin County's score of 79.9 exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.5, placing it in the upper-middle range of county risk. The county experiences notably above-average disaster vulnerability compared to most state peers.

Similar risk to nearby Macon County

Macoupin County's score of 79.9 closely approaches Macon County (83.3) and substantially exceeds Logan County (58.1). The county's earthquake risk of 94.1 is particularly distinctive among neighboring areas.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats

Macoupin County's earthquake risk of 94.1 and tornado risk of 78.0 are the dominant hazard concerns. These two threats significantly exceed the county's other risks and should anchor your disaster preparedness strategy.

Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage

Macoupin County residents should invest in earthquake insurance, as the county's 94.1 earthquake risk is among the highest in Illinois and isn't covered by standard homeowners policies. Confirm that your policy includes strong wind and hail protection for tornado damage, making these two additions essential.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Macoupin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Macoupin County

Risk Verdict

Macoupin County ranks at the 80th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Macoupin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (69th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Macoupin County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 78th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Macoupin County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Macoupin County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Illinois counties, Macoupin County runs 25.5 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Macoupin 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 Macoupin County, IL?
Macoupin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Macoupin County?
Macoupin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (94th percentile), tornado (78th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 94th 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 Macoupin County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Macoupin County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Macoupin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Macoupin County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Macoupin County's earthquake risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Macoupin County is at the 69th 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.
Why is Macoupin County higher risk than average?
Macoupin County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (94th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kendall County

Illinois

+0.3

Relatively Low

80th percentile

DeKalb County

Illinois

+0.9

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Franklin County

Illinois

+1.0

Relatively Low

81th 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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