Whiteside County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Whiteside County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.8, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 11.45 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.89 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.67 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.11 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.86 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $203K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.26 / yr | $120K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $518K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.47 / yr | $231K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.89 / yr | $368K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Whiteside County?
Whiteside County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whiteside County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whiteside County compare to other Illinois counties?
Whiteside County ranks #38 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Whiteside County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.