Ford County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Ford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.2, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.68 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $452K |
| Drought | Low | 1.82 / yr | $201K |
| Hail | Low | 2.98 / yr | $233K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.51 / yr | $506K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $148K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.05 / yr | $21K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $19K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $75 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.17 / yr | $54K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $684 |
| 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 Ford County?
Ford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $452K EAL), Drought (Low, $201K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ford County compare to other Illinois counties?
Ford County ranks #85 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. Ford County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.