Washington County Disaster Risk
Washington County, Illinois
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#51
of 102 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
39th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County, Illinois
Washington near national risk baseline
With a composite risk score of 55.15, Washington County sits just below the national median for natural disaster risk. This "Relatively Low" rating masks exceptional earthquake vulnerability (90.52), which dwarfs other hazards in the county.
Slightly below Illinois average
Washington's 55.15 score sits marginally below the Illinois state average of 54.46, making it a middle-of-the-road county statewide. However, its earthquake risk ranks among the state's highest.
Similar risk profile to Union County
Washington (55.15) and Union County (55.38) have nearly identical overall risk scores, both distinguished by exceptionally high earthquake exposure. Both counties sit well below their neighbor Wayne County (40.74) in overall risk.
Earthquake dominates hazard landscape
Earthquake risk of 90.52 is Washington's defining feature and among the nation's highest, reflecting proximity to active fault zones in southern Illinois. Tornado (44.24) and hurricane (38.76) risks are secondary but still meaningful.
Earthquake insurance is essential
Earthquake coverage is critical for Washington County residents—standard policies exclude all seismic damage. Anchor heavy furniture and appliances to walls, bolt your house foundation, and keep emergency supplies accessible for rapid earthquake response.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Washington County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Washington County
Risk Verdict
Washington County's FEMA risk score places it at the 55th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Washington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (39th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 91th percentile nationally, Washington County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Tornado at the 44th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Washington County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Washington County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
Washington County sits within 0.7 composite points of the Illinois state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Washington County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, IL?
What types of natural hazards affect Washington County?
How does Washington County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Is Washington County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Washington 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.