Natural Disaster Risk in Scales Mound
Illinois
Risk Summary for Scales Mound
Scales Mound scores 5.7/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Scales Mound, Illinois
Scales Mound, in Jo Daviess County, is a small community of about 986 situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers, and in particular a severe thunderstorm and tornado season each spring. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Scales Mound residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Scales Mound carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. Landslide and debris flow risk tops the local hazard profile, with steep terrain and periodic heavy rainfall creating conditions for rapid slope failure in vulnerable areas. The area also faces notable exposure to hail and cold wave.
Within Illinois, Scales Mound's risk is, near the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Jo Daviess County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by hail and cold wave. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a moderate risk rating, Scales Mound residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.
What this means for Scales Mound: Landslide preparedness
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
Local Factors for Scales Mound
These city-level factors differentiate Scales Mound from other communities in Jo Daviess County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
986
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 42.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 3.1/10
Coordinates
42.4655° N, 90.2644° W
Jo Daviess County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Scales Mound
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Scales Mound
Other cities in Illinois
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.