Montgomery County Disaster Risk
Montgomery County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#40
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Montgomery County, Illinois
Montgomery County faces relatively elevated risk
Montgomery County's composite risk score of 65.39 exceeds the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating that reflects above-typical exposure to natural disasters. The county experiences more hazard threats than most U.S. counties.
Among Illinois's higher-risk counties
Montgomery County's composite score of 65.39 significantly exceeds Illinois's 54.46 average, ranking it in the higher-risk portion of the state. Residents face notably more natural disaster exposure than the typical Illinois county.
One of south-central Illinois's riskiest counties
Montgomery County (65.39) carries substantially higher risk than nearby Mercer (8.78) and Monroe (41.86) counties, and matches the risk level of Ogle County (71.09). Only Morgan County (71.12) among nearby areas faces comparable hazard exposure.
Four major hazards converge here
Earthquakes (90.39), tornadoes (71.47), floods (58.75), and hurricanes (42.14) all pose significant threats to Montgomery County residents. This convergence of multiple hazard types makes comprehensive preparedness especially important.
Layered insurance strategy essential
Montgomery County homeowners need earthquake insurance, flood insurance, and comprehensive homeowners coverage protecting against tornadoes and wind damage. Consider bundling policies and reviewing coverage limits annually given the multiplicity of hazard threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Montgomery County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Montgomery County
Risk Verdict
Montgomery County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 65th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Montgomery County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Montgomery County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (59th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Montgomery County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 71th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Montgomery County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Montgomery County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
A composite score 10.9 points above the Illinois state average puts Montgomery County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Montgomery County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Montgomery County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Montgomery County?
How does Montgomery County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Montgomery County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Montgomery 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.