Natural Disaster Risk in Edwardsville

Natural Hazard Profile: Edwardsville, Illinois

Located in the interior eastern United States in Madison County, Edwardsville is a city of approximately 35,520 residents. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Illinois — marked by bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Edwardsville a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Edwardsville's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. Secondary hazards include heat and tornado.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Edwardsville's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, considerably above the 5.8/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by hail and heat, as measured by FEMA across Madison County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Edwardsville 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.