Henry County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Henry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.1, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Henry County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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.
Most of Henry County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 6.02 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.06 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $943K in expected annual loss and about 3.88 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 49K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henry County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for flood events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Henry County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.02 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | High | 9.06 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.88 / yr | $943K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.00 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $263K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.63 / yr | $133K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.22 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.37 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.43 / yr | $416K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $519K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $9M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Snowstorm (5), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| 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 Henry County?
Henry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $943K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henry County compare to other Illinois counties?
Henry County ranks #49 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henry County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Henry County since 1973, most often 6 for flood events and 5 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. Henry County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.