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

Pulaski County Disaster Risk

Pulaski County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% 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

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pulaski County, Illinois

Pulaski County sits near national risk average

Pulaski County's composite risk score of 49.05 is close to the national average and slightly below Illinois's statewide average of 54.46, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This puts Pulaski in the middle of the U.S. disaster risk spectrum, requiring thoughtful hazard preparedness without being in a high-danger zone.

Pulaski ranks in Illinois's midrange

With a score of 49.05, Pulaski County places in the middle band of Illinois's 102 counties for natural disaster risk, performing better than about half its peers. The county's balanced hazard profile—neither exceptionally safe nor particularly vulnerable—reflects its position in southern Illinois.

Pulaski is safer than most regional peers

Pulaski County's 49.05 score significantly outperforms neighboring Perry County (72.07) and Randolph County (78.63), making it a relatively safer jurisdiction in southwestern Illinois. It scores higher than Piatt County (34.96) and Pike County (30.34) to the north, reflecting greater seismic exposure.

Earthquake risk dominates Pulaski's profile

Pulaski County's earthquake risk scores 91.19—among the highest in Illinois—while tornado risk is moderate at 37.63 and flood risk is low at 15.14. The county's overall risk is heavily weighted toward seismic activity, making earthquake preparedness the top priority.

Earthquake insurance is essential here

Pulaski County residents should prioritize standalone earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage; this specialized coverage directly addresses the county's dominant hazard. Wind/hail coverage remains important for tornado protection, though less pressing than earthquake preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pulaski County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pulaski County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Pulaski County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 49th percentile. Even at the 49th percentile, Pulaski County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Pulaski County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (29th percentile), flood (15th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 91th percentile nationally puts Pulaski County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado at the 38th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Pulaski County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Pulaski County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Pulaski County's composite risk score sits 5.4 points below the Illinois county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, IL?
Pulaski County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Pulaski County?
Pulaski County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (91th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 91th 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 Pulaski County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Pulaski County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pulaski County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Pulaski County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pulaski County's earthquake risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pulaski County is at the 15th 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.
Is Pulaski County a safe place to live?
Pulaski County's composite risk score of 49th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lawrence County

Illinois

+0.2

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Fayette County

Illinois

-0.3

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Johnson County

Illinois

+2.0

Relatively Low

51th 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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