Cass County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Cass County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.6, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.58 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.40 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.21 / yr | $731K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.01 / yr | $780K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $248K |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $172K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $602K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.55 / yr | $24K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.26 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.22 / yr | $57K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $107 |
| 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 Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $731K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Illinois counties?
Cass County ranks #71 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Cass County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.