Natural Disaster Risk in Alton

Natural Hazard Profile: Alton, Illinois

Alton, in Madison County, is a city of approximately 29,543 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers, and in particular a severe thunderstorm and tornado season each spring. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Alton residents and property owners must navigate.

Alton's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Secondary hazards include heat and tornado.

Within Illinois, Alton's risk is, considerably above the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Madison County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by heat and tornado. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Alton residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hail and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.