Knox County
Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Knox County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.2, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.87 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.42 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.88 / yr | $623K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $215K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.43 / yr | $401K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $388K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.11 / yr | $74K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $446 |
| 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 Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Illinois counties?
Knox County ranks #48 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. Knox County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.