Macoupin County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Macoupin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.9, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Macoupin County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 79.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th 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 Macoupin County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 9.42 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $39M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Macoupin County has a medium 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: Macoupin County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1982, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (tornado), declared in December 2021.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Macoupin County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.11 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 48.68 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.61 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.49 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Medium | 1.83 / yr | $408K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.47 / yr | $100K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.24 / yr | $65K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Macoupin County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1982, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in December 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Tornado (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| June 1983 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| December 1982 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Macoupin County?
Macoupin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Macoupin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $11M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Macoupin County compare to other Illinois counties?
Macoupin County ranks #24 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Macoupin County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Macoupin County since 1982, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in December 2021.
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. Macoupin County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.