Pulaski County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Pulaski County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.0, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pulaski County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 Pulaski County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.05 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $882K in expected annual loss and about 3.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pulaski County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Pulaski County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Pulaski County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $882K |
| Drought | Medium | 5.56 / yr | $436K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.12 / yr | $84K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.16 / yr | $265K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $529K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $337 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.79 / yr | $26K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.04 / yr | $39K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 4.68 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 55.46 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $190 |
| 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
Pulaski County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 |
| May 1995 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pulaski County?
Pulaski County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pulaski County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $882K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pulaski County compare to other Illinois counties?
Pulaski County ranks #60 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pulaski County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Pulaski County since 1969, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Pulaski County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.