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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#92

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% 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 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Illinois

Warren ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 15.49, Warren County has exceptionally low natural disaster risk—among the safest counties in the nation. This "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes.

Illinois's second-lowest-risk county

Warren's 15.49 score is the lowest or second-lowest among all eight Illinois counties evaluated, and drastically below the state average of 54.46. The county benefits from a geographic and geologic position that minimizes most natural disaster hazards.

Safest in northwestern Illinois cluster

Warren County (15.49) is substantially safer than neighbors Stephenson (73.92) to the north and Tazewell (84.19) to the southeast. Its low-risk profile is unique in its immediate region.

Limited but meaningful hurricane exposure

Hurricane risk (17.48) is Warren's most significant hazard, though it remains well below national averages; tornado risk (28.50) is secondary. Overall, your county faces minimal natural disaster threats compared to most Illinois locations.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Your county's exceptionally low risk means standard homeowners insurance generally covers your most likely exposures. However, review your policy to confirm wind and hail coverage is included, and consider flood insurance only if your home sits in a mapped floodplain.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    28th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    17th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

At the 15th percentile nationally, Warren County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 15th percentile nationally is an advantage for Warren County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 28th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (17th percentile), flood (11th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Warren County ranks at the 34th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Warren County's tornado risk at the 28th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Warren County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 39.0 points below the Illinois state average puts Warren County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, IL?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (34th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), flooding (11th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 34th 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 Warren County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warren County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Warren County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Warren County's earthquake risk is at the 34th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Warren County is at the 11th 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 Warren County a safe place to live?
Warren County's composite risk score of 15th 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 34th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.