Moultrie County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Moultrie County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.0, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Moultrie County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.66 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $844K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Moultrie County has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Moultrie County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 2 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2023.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Moultrie County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 1.66 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $844K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 2.98 / yr | $332K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.87 / yr | $535K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.32 / yr | $357K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.26 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $790K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.85 / yr | $145K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $516 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $14K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.27 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $998 |
| 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
Moultrie County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (2), Tornado (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| March 1990 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Moultrie County?
Moultrie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Moultrie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $844K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Moultrie County compare to other Illinois counties?
Moultrie County ranks #63 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Moultrie County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Moultrie County since 1990, most often 2 for severe storm events and 2 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in August 2023.
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. Moultrie County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.