Henderson County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Henderson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.5, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Henderson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 17.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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.
Most of Henderson County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $699K in expected annual loss and about 8.53 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $506K in expected annual loss and about 3.92 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $490K in expected annual loss and about 5.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henderson County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Henderson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Henderson County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 8.53 / yr | $699K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.92 / yr | $506K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.41 / yr | $490K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.00 / yr | $307K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.50 / yr | $39K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.59 / yr | $91K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $340K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $43K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $225K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 12.89 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $480 |
| 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
Henderson County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Snowstorm (3), 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 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Illinois Winter Snow Storms |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Henderson County?
Henderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $699K EAL), Hail (Medium, $506K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $490K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henderson County compare to other Illinois counties?
Henderson County ranks #91 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henderson County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Henderson County since 1965, most often 8 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Henderson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.