Natural Disaster Risk in Highland

Natural Hazard Profile: Highland, Illinois

Located in the interior eastern United States in Madison County, Highland is a city of approximately 16,205 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 Highland a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Highland'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, Highland'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.

Highland's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.