Clinton County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Clinton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.6, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clinton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 65.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.69 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clinton County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clinton County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Clinton County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.69 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.95 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.63 / yr | $701K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Low | 1.66 / yr | $308K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.04 / yr | $304K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.26 / yr | $53K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.70 / yr | $16K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Clinton County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| December 1982 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| April 1973 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| August 1969 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clinton County?
Clinton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clinton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clinton County compare to other Illinois counties?
Clinton County ranks #39 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clinton County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Clinton County since 1969, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Clinton County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.