Monroe County

Illinois — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

41.9

National percentile: 42th

Monroe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.9, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $23M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 35K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Heat Wave
Medium $4M/yr
Earthquake
Low $5M/yr
Landslide
Low $34K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Heat Wave Medium 13.21 / yr $4M
Earthquake Low 0.01 / yr $5M
Landslide Low 0.46 / yr $34K
Strong Wind Medium 6.03 / yr $2M
Hail Low 5.23 / yr $659K
Tornado Low 0.33 / yr $3M
Cold Wave Low 1.37 / yr $2M
Drought Low 1.66 / yr $126K
Lightning Low 53.37 / yr $272K
Winter Weather Low 8.79 / yr $58K
Riverine Flood Very Low 1.04 / yr $6M
Ice Storm Very Low 1.24 / yr $22K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $8K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $1K
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 Monroe County?

Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $34K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Monroe County compare to other Illinois counties?

Monroe County ranks #66 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Monroe County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.