White County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
White County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.3, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
White County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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 Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $102K in expected annual loss and about 8.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $376K in expected annual loss and about 5.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, White 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: White County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1983, 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, White County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.00 / yr | $102K |
| Drought | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $376K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.32 / yr | $624K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.30 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.00 / yr | $664K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $83K |
| Hail | Low | 2.99 / yr | $201K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 6.64 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $594K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $18K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.82 / yr | $108K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $699 |
| 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
White County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1983, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| June 1983 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for White County?
White County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in White County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $102K EAL), Drought (Medium, $376K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does White County compare to other Illinois counties?
White County ranks #53 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has White County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for White County since 1983, 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. White County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.