Kane County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Kane County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.6, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $198M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kane County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 94.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 95th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Kane County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Very High risk — $50M in expected annual loss and about 5.86 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $38M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $99M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $198M in expected annual loss for a population of 516K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kane County has a very 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: Kane County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 4 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Kane County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 5.86 / yr | $50M |
| Tornado | High | 0.42 / yr | $38M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.79 / yr | $99M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.17 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 42.34 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.27 / yr | $222K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.67 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.02 / yr | $495K |
| Hail | Low | 4.69 / yr | $521K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $192K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Kane County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Snowstorm (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Illinois Winter Snow Storms |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| July 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and 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 Kane County?
Kane County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.6 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kane County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $50M EAL), Tornado (High, $38M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $99M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kane County compare to other Illinois counties?
Kane County ranks #6 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kane County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Kane County since 1967, most often 4 for flood events and 4 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. Kane County's $198M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.