Massac County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Massac County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.6, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Massac County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 61.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $331K in expected annual loss and about 1.23 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $639K in expected annual loss and about 8.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Massac County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Massac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Massac County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.23 / yr | $331K |
| Drought | Medium | 8.11 / yr | $639K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.58 / yr | $858K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.02 / yr | $799K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.58 / yr | $79K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.74 / yr | $202K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $767K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.21 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $645 |
| Hail | Low | 2.98 / yr | $153K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Massac County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record/Near Record Snow |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| March 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Massac County?
Massac County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Massac County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $331K EAL), Drought (Medium, $639K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Massac County compare to other Illinois counties?
Massac County ranks #44 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Massac County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Massac County since 1973, most often 4 for severe storm 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. Massac County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.