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

Peoria County Disaster Risk

Peoria County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Peoria County, Illinois

Peoria County faces elevated national risk

Peoria County's composite risk score of 90.68 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a relatively moderate risk rating. This represents the highest hazard exposure among the surveyed counties and indicates substantial natural disaster threats.

Illinois's riskiest county by far

Peoria County's composite score of 90.68 far exceeds Illinois's 54.46 state average, ranking it as the state's most at-risk county. Illinois residents face no greater concentration of natural disaster hazards than in Peoria County.

Dramatically riskier than any nearby county

Peoria County (90.68) carries substantially higher risk than all neighboring counties, including Morgan County (71.12), Ogle County (71.09), and Moultrie County (45.04). No adjacent county approaches Peoria's hazard exposure.

Tornadoes dominate an already hazardous profile

Tornado risk (95.80) reaches exceptional levels in Peoria County, combined with elevated flood risk (88.74) and earthquake risk (79.93). Hurricane risk (30.70) and wildfire risk (9.80) add to the overall hazard burden.

Comprehensive insurance strategy is critical

Peoria County homeowners must secure flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and robust homeowners coverage protecting against tornadoes and wind damage. Regular policy reviews and maintaining adequate coverage limits are essential given the exceptional hazard exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Peoria County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Peoria County

Risk Verdict

Peoria County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Peoria County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (80th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Peoria County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 96th percentile nationally. For Peoria County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 89th percentile nationally means Peoria County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Peoria County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Peoria County's composite risk score sits 36.2 points above the Illinois county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Peoria 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 Peoria County, IL?
Peoria County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Peoria County?
Peoria County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Peoria County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Peoria County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Peoria County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Peoria County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Peoria County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Peoria County is at the 89th 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 Peoria County higher risk than average?
Peoria County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th 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

McHenry County

Illinois

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Champaign County

Illinois

-0.2

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Sangamon County

Illinois

+1.0

Relatively Moderate

92th 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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