Fulton County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Fulton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.0, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Fulton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 59.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.82 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $18K in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fulton 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Fulton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Fulton County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.61 / yr | $18K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.21 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.95 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.51 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.30 / yr | $278K |
| Drought | Medium | 6.02 / yr | $420K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.68 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.47 / yr | $69K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.63 / yr | $186K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Fulton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Snowstorm (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| December 2006 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fulton County?
Fulton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fulton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $18K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fulton County compare to other Illinois counties?
Fulton County ranks #45 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fulton County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Fulton County since 1973, most often 8 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng, declared in September 2024.
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. Fulton County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.