Jo Daviess County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Jo Daviess County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.3, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jo Daviess County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $70K in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.65 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jo Daviess County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Jo Daviess County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Jo Daviess County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $70K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.65 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.84 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.70 / yr | $438K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.24 / yr | $665K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.54 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.82 / yr | $106K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $330K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.53 / yr | $42K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.70 / yr | $73K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Jo Daviess County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Snowstorm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 1999 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flash Flooding |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| June 1990 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
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 Jo Daviess County?
Jo Daviess County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jo Daviess County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $70K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jo Daviess County compare to other Illinois counties?
Jo Daviess County ranks #57 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jo Daviess County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Jo Daviess County since 1965, most often 6 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. Jo Daviess County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.