riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Tazewell County Disaster Risk

Tazewell County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Tazewell County

Risk Verdict

Tazewell County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 84th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Tazewell County, scoring in the 90th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 84th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (80th), hurricane (28th), wildfire (8th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Tazewell County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Tazewell County is significantly riskier than the average county in Illinois. Its composite risk score is 29.7 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Tazewell County, IL?
Tazewell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th 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 Tazewell County?
Tazewell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), flooding (84th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 90th 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 Tazewell County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Tazewell County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tazewell County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Tazewell County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Tazewell County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tazewell County is at the 84th 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.
Why is Tazewell County higher risk than average?
Tazewell County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Rock Island County

Illinois

-0.1

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Macon County

Illinois

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Williamson County

Illinois

+1.6

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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