Whiteside County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Whiteside County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 65.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.45 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.89 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, Whiteside County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Whiteside County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Whiteside County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Whiteside County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Biological (2), Snowstorm (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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| January 1979 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Whiteside County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Whiteside County since 1965, most often 7 for flood 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. Whiteside County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.