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

Marshall County Disaster Risk

Marshall County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#84

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall County, Illinois

Marshall County ranks very low nationally

Marshall County's composite risk score of 27.23 places it firmly in the Very Low risk category, well below Illinois's state average of 54.46. This makes Marshall one of the safer counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Among Illinois's safest counties

Marshall County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Illinois across most hazard categories, with particularly minimal wildfire (4.39) and earthquake (54.52) exposure. Its risk profile is substantially better than the state average across all major disaster types.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Marshall County's composite score of 27.23 is significantly lower than neighboring Mason County (43.03), McDonough County (37.53), and especially Madison County (93.42) to the southwest. This makes Marshall a notable safe zone in central Illinois.

Tornado risk is the primary concern

Marshall County's tornado risk of 40.39 is its highest exposure among natural hazards, though still well below state averages. Flooding and earthquake risks remain minimal, with scores of 35.11 and 54.52 respectively.

Standard coverage is usually sufficient

Marshall County's low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, ensuring a safe shelter room or reinforced interior space for tornado season remains a practical precaution worth considering.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marshall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marshall County

Risk Verdict

Marshall County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 27th percentile nationally. Residents of Marshall County can use the 27th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Marshall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (35th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 55th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Marshall 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. Tornado at the 40th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Marshall County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Marshall 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

Marshall County falls 27.2 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 Marshall 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 Marshall County, IL?
Marshall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Marshall County?
Marshall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (55th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 55th 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 Marshall County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Marshall County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marshall County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Marshall County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Marshall County's earthquake risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Marshall County is at the 35th 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.
Is Marshall County a safe place to live?
Marshall County's composite risk score of 27th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clark County

Illinois

+0.1

Very Low

27th percentile

Ford County

Illinois

-1.0

Very Low

26th percentile

Edwards County

Illinois

-1.1

Very Low

26th 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.

Explore more data for Marshall County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score