Natural Disaster Risk in Wood River

Natural Hazard Profile: Wood River, Illinois

Wood River, in Madison County, is a city of approximately 10,726 residents 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 Wood River residents and property owners must navigate.

Wood River's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Secondary hazards include heat and tornado.

Within Illinois, Wood River's risk is, considerably above the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Madison County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by heat and tornado. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Wood River 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.