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Natural hazard risk in Lee County, Illinois

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 54.3 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$20.6 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1973
8[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$730,000[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
40[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Lee County an overall rating of Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 54.3 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are strong wind, drought and hail[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA rates the overall natural hazard risk for Lee County Relatively Low compared with all US counties[5]. FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $20.6 million a year[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. FEMA's order of the largest expected losses is inland flooding, tornado and cold wave[8]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Relatively Low (score 23.1)[9]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Very High (score 82.7), which it describes as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Strong WindRelatively High$1.8 million[11]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$1.0 million[12]
HailRelatively Low$712,000[13]
TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.9 million[14]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$2.3 million[15]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$11.2 million[16]
EarthquakeVery Low$308,000[17]
Ice StormRelatively Low$68,000[18]
LandslideVery Low$635[19]
Heat WaveVery Low$172,000[20]
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$33,000[21]
LightningRelatively Low$119,000[22]
HurricaneVery Low$4,621[23]
WildfireVery Low$3,427[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low23.1[9]
Community resilienceVery High82.7[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding Relatively Low for Lee County, with an Expected Annual Loss of $11.2 million a year[16]. OpenFEMA data as of 2026-08-03 lists 93 residential flood insurance contracts in force[26]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 14.1% of homes are insured[26]. OpenFEMA lists 142 NFIP claims for losses in the county from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $730,000 in total[3]. For a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[16] Relatively Low, $11.2 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 93 of 16,175 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 583, of which 82 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 142 filed, $730,000 paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 8 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lee County since 1973[2]. The most recent is DR-4461-IL, Severe Storms And Flooding, declared 2019-09-19[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 40 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the most recent was on 2024-02-27[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lee County, since 1973
Incident type Declarations
Flood[2] 4
Snowstorm[2] 3
Hurricane[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4461-IL[28] Severe Storms And Flooding 2019-09-19
DR-1960-IL[28] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2011-03-17
EM-3269-IL[28] Snow 2006-12-29
EM-3230-IL[28] Hurricane Katrina Evacuation 2005-09-07
DR-735-IL[28] Severe Storms & Flooding 1985-03-29

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Tornadoes

Before

  • Learn the warning signs: a rotating funnel cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
  • Sign up for community warning systems and learn what your local sirens sound like.
  • Pick a safe spot, such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria or an ICC 500 storm shelter, and practice getting there.
  • Include your pets in the household emergency plan.
  • Keep supplies, food, water and medication in case you have to stay home for a long time.

During

  • Go right away to the safe place you picked in advance.
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • No place in a car is fully safe. If you can get lower than the road, leave the car and lie down there.

Source: Ready.gov, tornadoes

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is Lee County, Illinois at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding Relatively Low for Lee County compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $11.2 million a year[16]. FEMA's index is not meant to predict next year's damage[7].
Does Lee County, Illinois get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 40 tornadoes touching Lee County from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[14].
Is Lee County, Illinois at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Very Low for Lee County compared with other US counties[17].
How many disasters have been declared in Lee County, Illinois?
OpenFEMA lists 8 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lee County since 1973[2].
How do I check the flood zone of an address in Lee County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[27].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Lee County is $20.6 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 61.7). Of this, buildings account for $14.3 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $4.4 million... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 8 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lee County since 1973 (5 major disaster, 3 emergency or fire management). By incident type: flood 4, snowstorm 3, hurricane 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other non-natural declarations are not counted. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 142 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Lee County, 103 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $730,000 in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years with... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 40 recorded tornadoes touched Lee County. The strongest were rated EF4 (most recent of them on 2015-04-09). 1 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-02-27. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Lee County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 54.3 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Lee County are strong wind (84.5, Relatively High), drought (79.5, Relatively Moderate), hail (72.3, Relatively Low). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores; FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Lee County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($11.2 million a year), tornado ($2.9 million a year), cold wave ($2.3 million a year), out of $20.6 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Lee County is Relatively Low (score 23.1). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Lee County is Very High (score 82.7). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 84.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.8 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 6.12 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 79.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 10.62 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 72.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $712,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 4.11 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 69.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.67 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 68.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.3 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 5.79 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 62.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $11.2 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.93 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Lee County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 49.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $308,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0013 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 42.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $68,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.56 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Lee County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 37.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $635 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Lee County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 31.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $172,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 3.74 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 29.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $33,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 14.42 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Lee County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 28.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $119,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 42.04 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Lee County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 15.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4,621 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the Atlantic Basin and... FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Lee County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 9.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3,427 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Lee County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 93 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Lee County, out of 16,175 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.6%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 583 residential structures and 82 contracts, a rate of... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.