McDonough County Disaster Risk
McDonough County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#72
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
21th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in McDonough County, Illinois
McDonough ranks well below state average
McDonough County's composite risk score of 37.53 places it in the Very Low risk category, significantly below Illinois's state average of 54.46. This makes McDonough one of the safer counties for natural disaster exposure in the state.
Among Illinois's lowest-risk counties
McDonough County ranks among the safest counties in Illinois, with exceptionally low wildfire risk (0.86) and flood risk (21.09). Its tornado risk of 52.00 remains below state averages, and earthquake exposure is moderate at 59.57.
Safest county in its region
McDonough County's composite score of 37.53 is notably lower than neighboring Mason County (43.03), Massac County (61.61), and especially Madison County (93.42). It ranks among the safest in west-central Illinois.
Tornado risk exceeds other hazards
McDonough County's tornado risk of 52.00 is its highest exposure, though still moderately below state averages. Earthquake risk of 59.57 is the only other concern of note, while flooding and wildfire risks are minimal.
Standard insurance typically suffices
McDonough County's low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for most residents. Ensuring a designated safe room for tornado season and a basic preparedness plan addresses the county's primary natural hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in McDonough County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: McDonough County
Risk Verdict
McDonough County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 38th percentile nationally. At the 38th percentile nationally, McDonough County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is McDonough County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (21th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 60th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, McDonough 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, McDonough County's tornado risk at the 52th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in McDonough 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
McDonough County falls 16.9 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 McDonough County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in McDonough County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect McDonough County?
How does McDonough County risk compare to the Illinois average?
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Is McDonough 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.