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

Perry County Disaster Risk

Perry County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

72th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 94% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perry County, Illinois

Perry County's risk exceeds national average

Perry County scores 72.07 on the composite disaster risk scale, putting it well above the typical U.S. county and about 32% higher than Illinois's average of 54.46. This "Relatively Low" rating means Perry faces moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the nation's hotspots, but shouldn't be dismissed by residents planning for emergencies.

Perry ranks in Illinois's higher-risk group

Among Illinois's 102 counties, Perry County lands in the upper tier for disaster risk, driven primarily by seismic activity. While not the riskiest county in the state, Perry's 72.07 score places it ahead of roughly 70% of its peers, making it a meaningful consideration for property owners.

Perry's risks stand out in regional context

Perry County's 72.07 score significantly exceeds nearby Randolph County (78.63) and Richland County (46.66), making it one of the more hazard-exposed communities in southern Illinois. Unlike its western neighbors Pike and Pulaski counties, which score in the low-risk range, Perry faces heightened earthquake and tornado exposure that warrant specific preparedness steps.

Earthquake and tornado threats dominate

Perry County's earthquake risk scores 94.34—among the highest in Illinois—while tornado risk sits at a substantial 60.62, reflecting the county's position in both a seismically active region and Tornado Alley's fringe. Flooding poses moderate concern at 49.81, making these three hazards the primary focus for household and business emergency planning.

Secure earthquake and tornado coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake or tornado damage; Perry County residents should review standalone earthquake policies and ensure wind/hail coverage is adequate. With 94% of countywide risk tied to seismic activity and 60% to tornadoes, these specialized policies are essential to protect your home's structure and contents.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Perry County

Risk Verdict

Perry County ranks at the 72th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Perry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Perry County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Perry County's tornado risk at the 61th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Perry County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Illinois counties, Perry County runs 17.6 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Perry 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 Perry County, IL?
Perry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 72th 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 Perry County?
Perry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (94th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 94th 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 Perry County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Perry County's composite risk percentile is 72th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perry County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Perry County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Perry County's earthquake risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Perry County is at the 50th 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 Perry County higher risk than average?
Perry County's composite risk score of 72th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (94th percentile), along with tornado 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

Livingston County

Illinois

-0.3

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Morgan County

Illinois

-1.0

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Ogle County

Illinois

-1.0

Relatively Low

71th 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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