Adams County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Adams County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.2, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.42 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.21 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.25 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.26 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $857K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.43 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.25 / yr | $679K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $645K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.26 / yr | $107K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $10M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.42 / yr | $107K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Illinois counties?
Adams County ranks #41 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Adams County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.