Richland County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Richland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.7, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Richland County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $654K in expected annual loss and about 2.41 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $587K in expected annual loss and about 8.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richland County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Richland County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Richland County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.41 / yr | $654K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $587K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.09 / yr | $516K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.58 / yr | $59K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 2.76 / yr | $227K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.53 / yr | $62K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $546K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $23K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.94 / yr | $80K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $840 |
| 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
Richland County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record/Near Record Snow |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| May 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 1990 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richland County?
Richland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $654K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $587K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richland County compare to other Illinois counties?
Richland County ranks #62 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richland County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Richland County since 1990, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm 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. Richland County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.