Woodford County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Woodford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.9, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Woodford County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 Woodford County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 5.21 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $925K in expected annual loss and about 5.30 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 38K.
Beyond physical exposure, Woodford County has a very 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.
The federal record bears this out: Woodford County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Woodford County ranks #69 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.21 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.30 / yr | $925K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $609K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $12M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.53 / yr | $634K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.22 / yr | $127K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.19 / yr | $624K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.00 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.66 / yr | $125K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $114K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Woodford County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), 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 |
| May 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 1999 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
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 Woodford County?
Woodford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Woodford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $925K EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Woodford County compare to other Illinois counties?
Woodford County ranks #69 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Woodford County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Woodford County since 1974, most often 4 for flood 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. Woodford County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.