Schuyler County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Schuyler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.4, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Schuyler County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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 Schuyler County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $245K in expected annual loss and about 4.90 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $604K in expected annual loss and about 5.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Schuyler County has a 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: Schuyler County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Schuyler County ranks #95 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.34 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Low | 4.90 / yr | $245K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.20 / yr | $604K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.47 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.76 / yr | $279K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.42 / yr | $376K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.37 / yr | $340K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.29 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.70 / yr | $52K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.74 / yr | $11K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.50 / yr | $875K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $91 |
| 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
Schuyler County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Schuyler County?
Schuyler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Schuyler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Drought (Low, $245K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $604K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Schuyler County compare to other Illinois counties?
Schuyler County ranks #95 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Schuyler County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Schuyler County since 1973, most often 6 for flood events and 6 for severe storm 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. Schuyler County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.