Putnam County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Putnam County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.2, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Putnam County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Putnam County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $346K in expected annual loss and about 8.90 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $463K in expected annual loss and about 5.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Putnam County has a low 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: Putnam County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 4 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Putnam County ranks #96 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Low | 8.90 / yr | $346K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.37 / yr | $463K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $159K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $622K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.11 / yr | $483K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.70 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.53 / yr | $61K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.67 / yr | $54K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 14.84 / yr | $10K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.02 / yr | $24K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Putnam County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (4), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| December 2006 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| December 1982 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| April 1979 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Putnam County?
Putnam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Putnam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Low, $346K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $463K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Putnam County compare to other Illinois counties?
Putnam County ranks #96 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Putnam County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Putnam County since 1979, most often 4 for snowstorm 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. Putnam County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.