Saline County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Saline County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.1, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Saline County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 70.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.12 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $992K in expected annual loss and about 9.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Saline 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.
The federal record bears this out: Saline County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 4 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Saline County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.12 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.68 / yr | $992K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.74 / yr | $130K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.33 / yr | $5K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $169K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 3.05 / yr | $307K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 3.08 / yr | $229K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.54 / yr | $148K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $29K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Saline County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Saline County?
Saline County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Saline County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $992K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Saline County compare to other Illinois counties?
Saline County ranks #36 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Saline County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Saline County since 1996, most often 4 for severe storm 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. Saline County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.