DeKalb County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
DeKalb County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.8, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $47M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 5.89 / yr | $12M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $24M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.54 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.31 / yr | $752K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $147K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $600K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.03 / yr | $253K |
| Hail | Low | 4.57 / yr | $158K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.00 / yr | $36K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $304 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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 DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Illinois counties?
DeKalb County ranks #22 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. DeKalb County's $47M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.