Natural Disaster Risk in Macomb

Natural Hazard Profile: Macomb, Illinois

Macomb is a city of approximately 17,317 residents in McDonough 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 Macomb.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Macomb carries an overall risk score of 6.1/10, placing it in the high category. Prolonged drought is the primary hazard risk, shaped by low annual rainfall, high evaporation rates, and increasing temperature trends that deepen and lengthen dry periods. The area also faces notable exposure to heat and hail.

Macomb's risk score, near 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 McDonough County, the highest-scoring are drought, heat, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Macomb'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.