Hamilton County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Hamilton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.8, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.99 / yr | $803K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.89 / yr | $88K |
| Drought | Low | 3.18 / yr | $218K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.32 / yr | $345K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $939K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.54 / yr | $55K |
| Hail | Low | 3.06 / yr | $180K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $545K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.75 / yr | $52K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $598 |
| 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hamilton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $803K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $88K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamilton County compare to other Illinois counties?
Hamilton County ranks #79 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. Hamilton County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.