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

Schuyler County Disaster Risk

Schuyler County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#95

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Schuyler County, Illinois

Schuyler enjoys very low risk

Schuyler County scores just 11.36 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it far below Illinois's state average of 54.46. This northwest county represents one of the safest disaster-risk profiles in the state, with minimal exposure across most hazard types.

Among Illinois's safest counties

Schuyler ranks in the bottom tier of risk statewide, with its 11.36 score beating approximately 95% of Illinois counties. Only a handful of counties statewide have lower composite risk, making Schuyler a genuinely safe haven for natural disaster exposure.

Safest in regional comparison

Schuyler's 11.36 score beats all nearby counties, only approached by similarly safe neighbors Scott County (2.77) and Stark County (7.25). The county's low-risk profile is consistent across its region, reflecting stable geology and lower severe weather exposure.

Minimal hazard exposure overall

Schuyler's greatest risks remain moderate at low absolute levels: tornado risk at 27.58 and earthquake risk at 35.53 are both well below state averages. Wildfire, flood, and hurricane risks are all negligible, making this one of Illinois's least disaster-prone counties.

Standard homeowners insurance sufficient

Schuyler County homeowners can rely primarily on standard homeowners insurance, with flood insurance only necessary if in a mapped flood zone. Regular maintenance and standard storm preparedness—a safe room for tornadoes—provide ample protection in this very low-risk environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Schuyler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    28th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    16th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Schuyler County

Risk Verdict

Schuyler County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 11th percentile nationally, Schuyler County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Schuyler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 36th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 28th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (16th percentile), flood (8th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Schuyler County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 36th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Schuyler County's tornado risk at the 28th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Schuyler County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.

Regional Context

Compared to the Illinois county average, Schuyler County's composite score runs 43.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Schuyler 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 Schuyler County, IL?
Schuyler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Schuyler County?
Schuyler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile), flooding (8th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 36th 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 Schuyler County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Schuyler County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Schuyler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Schuyler County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Schuyler County's earthquake risk is at the 36th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Schuyler County is at the 8th 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 Schuyler County a safe place to live?
Schuyler County's composite risk score of 11th 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 36th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Greene County

Illinois

+1.6

Very Low

13th percentile

Putnam County

Illinois

-2.2

Very Low

9th percentile

Mercer County

Illinois

-2.6

Very Low

9th 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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