Massac County Disaster Risk
Massac County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
62th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#44
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
43th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% 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 32% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Massac County, Illinois
Massac County ranks above state average
Massac County's composite risk score of 61.61 places it in the Relatively Low category, above Illinois's state average of 54.46. This moderate risk level reflects notable exposure to several natural hazards across the county.
Mid-tier risk among Illinois counties
Massac County ranks in the middle range of Illinois counties, with particularly high earthquake risk (93.58) and tornado risk (66.51). Its flood risk of 43.03 is moderate, while wildfire exposure remains minimal at 7.63.
Riskier than most neighboring counties
Massac County's composite score of 61.61 exceeds nearby Marshall County (27.23), Mason County (43.03), and McDonough County (37.53), but falls well below Madison County (93.42) to the north. Massac occupies a middle ground in regional risk.
Earthquakes and tornadoes drive risk
Massac County faces an exceptional earthquake risk of 93.58, making seismic activity its primary concern alongside tornadoes (66.51). Flooding presents moderate risk with a score of 43.03, particularly near the Ohio River.
Earthquake coverage deserves serious consideration
Massac County's extremely high earthquake risk of 93.58 makes standalone earthquake insurance a worthwhile investment, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage. Combine this with comprehensive flood coverage for the most complete protection in this region.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Massac County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Massac County
Risk Verdict
At the 62th percentile nationally, Massac County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Massac County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Massac County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (43th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Massac County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 94th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Massac County's tornado risk at the 67th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Massac County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.
Regional Context
Massac County falls 7.1 points above Illinois's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Massac County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Massac County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Massac County?
How does Massac County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Massac County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Massac 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.