Rock Island County Disaster Risk
Rock Island County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
84th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#19
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
79th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Rock Island County, Illinois
Rock Island's moderate risk profile
Rock Island County scores 84.13 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category—well above Illinois's state average of 54.46. This means residents face significantly higher natural disaster exposure than the typical Illinois county, driven primarily by tornado and flood vulnerabilities.
Above average among Illinois counties
Rock Island ranks among the riskier counties in Illinois, with its 84.13 composite score exceeding 73% of the state's other counties. The county's tornado risk of 91.00 is particularly notable, placing it in the upper tier statewide for severe weather exposure.
Riskier than most neighbors
Rock Island's risk score of 84.13 substantially exceeds nearby Scott County (2.77) and Stark County (7.25), which are among Illinois's safest. However, it falls below the extreme risk levels seen in neighboring St. Clair County (94.91), making Rock Island moderately vulnerable by regional comparison.
Tornadoes and floods dominate
Tornadoes pose the greatest threat with a risk score of 91.00, while flooding comes in second at 79.45—both substantially above state averages. Wildfire and hurricane risks are minimal at 8.71 and 13.77 respectively, so local preparedness should focus on severe convective weather and water management.
Prioritize tornado and flood coverage
Rock Island residents should ensure robust homeowners insurance that covers tornado damage and have separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Consider reinforcing above-ground shelter spaces and maintaining emergency supplies for severe weather season, particularly spring and early summer.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Rock Island County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Rock Island County
Risk Verdict
At the 84th percentile nationally, Rock Island County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Rock Island County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Rock Island County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 91th percentile nationally makes Rock Island County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 79th percentile nationally means Rock Island County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Rock Island County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
The Illinois county average is 29.7 composite points below Rock Island County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Rock Island County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Rock Island County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Rock Island County?
How does Rock Island County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Rock Island County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Rock Island 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.