McLean County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
McLean County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.9, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $81M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 4.89 / yr | $26M |
| Drought | High | 3.45 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.31 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.27 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.84 / yr | $358K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.26 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.29 / yr | $33M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.13 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $302K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.83 / yr | $386K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McLean County?
McLean County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McLean County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $26M EAL), Drought (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McLean County compare to other Illinois counties?
McLean County ranks #15 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. McLean County's $81M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.