Livingston County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Livingston County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.8, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Livingston County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 71.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 4.58 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 1.29 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Livingston County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Livingston County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 3 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Livingston County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.29 / yr | $22M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.40 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $677K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $931K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.72 / yr | $500K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.06 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.00 / yr | $385K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.74 / yr | $51K |
| Hail | Low | 3.55 / yr | $187K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.97 / yr | $47K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $464 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Livingston County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (3), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| 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 |
| March 2008 | 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 |
| March 1990 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| December 1982 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Livingston County?
Livingston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Livingston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Livingston County compare to other Illinois counties?
Livingston County ranks #32 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Livingston County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Livingston County since 1974, most often 3 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological 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. Livingston County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.