Natural Disaster Risk in Harvel
Illinois
Risk Summary for Harvel
Harvel scores 6.5/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Harvel, Illinois
Harvel, in Montgomery County, is a small unincorporated community 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 Harvel residents and property owners must navigate.
Harvel's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area's position within a seismically active region makes earthquake preparedness a top priority for residents and property owners alike. Secondary hazards include wind and drought.
Within Illinois, Harvel's risk is, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Montgomery County identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and drought. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Harvel residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for earthquake 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.
What this means for Harvel: Earthquake preparedness
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
Local Factors for Harvel
These city-level factors differentiate Harvel from other communities in Montgomery County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
342
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.4°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 2.4/10
Coordinates
39.3563° N, 89.5205° W
Montgomery County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Harvel
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Harvel
Other cities in Illinois
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.