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

Ogle County Disaster Risk

Ogle County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ogle County, Illinois

Ogle County faces notably elevated risk

Ogle County's composite risk score of 71.09 substantially exceeds the national average, reflecting above-typical exposure to natural disasters. The relatively low risk rating masks significant hazard concerns compared to most U.S. counties.

Northern Illinois's highest-risk county

Ogle County's composite score of 71.09 substantially exceeds Illinois's 54.46 state average, ranking it among the state's highest-risk counties. Northern Illinois residents face particular vulnerability to natural disasters in this county.

Riskiest in northern Illinois region

Ogle County (71.09) carries significantly higher risk than nearby Mercer County (8.78) and substantially outpaces Menard County (28.69). Only Morgan County (71.12) matches Ogle's elevated hazard exposure in the broader region.

Tornadoes and floods are primary threats

Tornado risk (79.90) and flood risk (77.04) dominate Ogle County's hazard profile, both far exceeding state averages. Earthquake risk (63.80) is moderate, while wildfire (11.42) and hurricane (13.64) risks remain relatively low.

Flood and tornado coverage essential

Ogle County homeowners must prioritize flood insurance and comprehensive homeowners coverage protecting against tornado and wind damage. Given the exceptional flood and tornado risks, flood insurance is not optional in this county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ogle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    64th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ogle County

Risk Verdict

At the 71th percentile nationally, Ogle County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Ogle County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Ogle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (64th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ogle County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 80th percentile nationally. In Ogle County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Flood is the second hazard driver for Ogle County at the 77th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Ogle County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Ogle County households.

Regional Context

Ogle County falls 16.6 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 Ogle 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 Ogle County, IL?
Ogle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Ogle County?
Ogle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (80th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 80th 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 Ogle County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Ogle County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ogle County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Ogle County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Ogle County's tornado risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ogle County is at the 77th 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 Ogle County higher risk than average?
Ogle County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (80th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Morgan County

Illinois

+0.0

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Livingston County

Illinois

+0.7

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Coles County

Illinois

-0.7

Relatively Low

70th 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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