Saline County Disaster Risk
Saline County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
70th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
57th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Saline County, Illinois
Saline maintains relatively low risk
Saline County scores 70.13 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating despite exceeding some Midwestern peers. The score exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46, but remains below the dangerous thresholds seen in counties with major riverine or seismic exposure.
Mid-range risk among state counties
Saline ranks in the lower-to-middle band of Illinois counties for disaster risk, with its 70.13 score beating approximately 40% of the state. The county's earthquake risk of 94.05 is surprisingly high for Illinois, though actual seismic events remain very rare in the region.
More exposed than southern peers
Saline's 70.13 score places it above several neighboring south-central counties, though specific adjacency comparisons are limited. Its earthquake risk of 94.05 is notably elevated compared to most Illinois counties, reflecting the region's underlying geological structure rather than active seismic activity.
Tornadoes and earthquakes are top concerns
Saline faces the highest threat from tornadoes at 68.48 and earthquakes at 94.05, though earthquake damage from actual events is uncommon here. Flooding is the third concern at 57.41, while wildfire and hurricane risks remain negligible at 8.56 and 43.51 respectively.
Cover tornado, flood, and seismic damage
Saline County homeowners should obtain comprehensive coverage for tornado damage and consider earthquake insurance despite low historical activity. Maintain flood insurance through the NFIP if in a mapped flood zone, and secure heavy furniture to walls to mitigate potential earthquake damage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Saline County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Saline County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 70th, Saline County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Saline County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (57th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 94th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Saline County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Tornado at the 68th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Saline County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Saline County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
At 15.7 points above the Illinois state average, Saline County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Illinois county.
Is your household prepared for Saline County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Saline County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Saline County?
How does Saline County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Saline County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Saline 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.