Natural Disaster Risk in Yates City
Illinois
Risk Summary for Yates City
Yates City scores 6.5/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Strong Wind.
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: Yates City, Illinois
Yates City, in Knox County, is a small community of about 732 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 Yates City residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Yates City carries an overall risk score of 6.5/10, placing it in the high category. High-wind events from severe thunderstorms and derechos are the leading hazard, with damaging gusts capable of downing trees and causing widespread structural damage. The area also faces notable exposure to hail and heat.
Within Illinois, Yates City'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 Knox County identifies wind as the foremost hazard, followed by hail and heat. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Yates City residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for wind 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 Yates City: Strong Wind preparedness
- Confirm your policy covers wind damage and keep an inventory of property for claims.
- Inspect and reinforce roofing, siding, and garage doors, which are common failure points in high winds.
- Secure or store outdoor furniture and loose objects that can become projectiles.
Local Factors for Yates City
These city-level factors differentiate Yates City from other communities in Knox County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
732
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 40.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 1.3/10
Coordinates
40.7977° N, 90.0343° W
Knox 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 Yates City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Yates City
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.