Stephenson County Disaster Risk
Stephenson County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#30
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Stephenson County, Illinois
Stephenson ranks above average nationally
With a composite risk score of 73.92, Stephenson County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to most U.S. counties. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects meaningful exposure to tornadoes and flooding, the county's two dominant hazards.
Above Illinois average, middle of the pack
Stephenson's 73.92 score significantly exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it in the higher-risk tier among the state's 102 counties. The county ranks notably above many southern and central Illinois peers.
Riskier than nearby Warren County
Stephenson faces notably higher disaster risk than its western neighbor Warren County (15.49), driven by substantially higher tornado and flood exposure. However, Stephenson's risk profile is comparable to neighboring Tazewell County (84.19) to the south.
Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure
Tornado risk (82.25) and flood risk (77.93) are your county's primary natural hazards, each well above national and state averages. While earthquake risk registers at 57.67, the immediate threat comes from severe weather events that develop rapidly across Illinois's flat terrain.
Prioritize flood and tornado coverage
Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage—you need a separate flood policy, especially critical given your county's 77.93 flood risk score. Consider a safe room or shelter reinforcement for tornadoes, and ensure your policy includes wind and hail coverage for severe thunderstorms.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Stephenson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Stephenson County
Risk Verdict
Stephenson County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 74th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Stephenson County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Stephenson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 82th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Stephenson County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Stephenson County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Stephenson County at the 78th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Stephenson County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 19.5 points above the Illinois state average puts Stephenson County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Stephenson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Stephenson County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Stephenson County?
How does Stephenson County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Stephenson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Stephenson 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.