Greene County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Greene County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.0, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Greene County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $528K in expected annual loss and about 2.49 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $686K in expected annual loss and about 9.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greene 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: Greene County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Greene County ranks #94 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.31 / yr | $11K |
| Drought | Medium | 2.49 / yr | $528K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.58 / yr | $686K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $410K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.91 / yr | $600K |
| Hail | Low | 4.66 / yr | $202K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $629K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.79 / yr | $98K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.84 / yr | $19K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.19 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $108 |
| 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
Greene County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2006 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Severe Storms |
| 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 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greene County?
Greene County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greene County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $11K EAL), Drought (Medium, $528K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $686K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greene County compare to other Illinois counties?
Greene County ranks #94 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greene County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Greene County since 1973, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 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. Greene County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.