Edgar County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Edgar County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.9, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Edgar County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.27 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $856K in expected annual loss and about 4.28 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Edgar County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Edgar County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 2 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2023.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Edgar County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.28 / yr | $856K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.84 / yr | $590K |
| Hail | Low | 3.01 / yr | $344K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.53 / yr | $82K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.16 / yr | $50K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.24 / yr | $84K |
| 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
Edgar County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (2), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| March 1990 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| June 1974 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Edgar County?
Edgar County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Edgar County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $856K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Edgar County compare to other Illinois counties?
Edgar County ranks #76 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Edgar County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Edgar County since 1974, most often 2 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in August 2023.
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. Edgar County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.