Natural Disaster Risk in Lewistown

Natural Hazard Profile: Lewistown, Illinois

Lewistown is a town of roughly 3,280 residents in Fulton County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers, with a severe thunderstorm and tornado season each spring shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Lewistown.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Lewistown carries an overall risk score of 6.4/10, placing it in the high category. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. The area also faces notable exposure to landslide and earthquake.

Lewistown's risk score, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Fulton County, the highest-scoring are hail, landslide, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Lewistown 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.