Wabash County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Wabash County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.8, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wabash County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Wabash County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $432K in expected annual loss and about 4.54 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $418K in expected annual loss and about 9.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wabash County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wabash County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 3 for tornado events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Wabash County ranks #88 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.54 / yr | $432K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.11 / yr | $418K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $721 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.84 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.09 / yr | $317K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $28K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $441K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 4.18 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $305K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.80 / yr | $73K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.92 / yr | $47K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $173 |
| 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
Wabash County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Tornado (3), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| January 1989 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wabash County?
Wabash County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wabash County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $432K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $418K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wabash County compare to other Illinois counties?
Wabash County ranks #88 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wabash County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Wabash County since 1989, most often 3 for tornado events and 3 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. Wabash County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.