Tazewell County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Tazewell County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.2, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tazewell County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 5.11 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.69 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $60M in expected annual loss for a population of 131K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tazewell County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Tazewell County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 for flood events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Tazewell County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 5.11 / yr | $13M |
| Tornado | High | 0.69 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.58 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.18 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.03 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.46 / yr | $28M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.49 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.84 / yr | $234K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.17 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.56 / yr | $330K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.28 / yr | $481K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Tazewell County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Snowstorm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| June 1990 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tazewell County?
Tazewell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tazewell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $13M EAL), Tornado (High, $9M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tazewell County compare to other Illinois counties?
Tazewell County ranks #18 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tazewell County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Tazewell County since 1973, most often 5 for flood events and 3 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. Tazewell County's $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.