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Set your location on the Illinois page to see live conditions for your area.
What's actually likely where you live.
Before the emergency — maps, tools, and the honest picture of what Illinois throws at different parts of the state.
See IL hazardsIL hazard profile
Illinois averages 54 tornadoes per year across its long north-south span. The April 9, 2015 Fairdale EF-4 killed 2 people. Central Illinois's flat terrain makes tornadoes highly visible but also allows them to travel long distances. The August 2020 derecho caused $1.1 billion in crop damage and widespread infrastructure damage across central Illinois. The Illinois and Mississippi rivers border or flow through much of the state, and both flood regularly. The 1993 Great Flood put hundreds of Illinois communities underwater for months. The 2019 flood set new records along the Mississippi. Chicago's combined sewer system floods basements across the city during heavy rain events. Chicago earns its 'Windy City' nickname most brutally in winter. The January 2019 polar vortex brought wind chills of -52°F to Chicago — colder than Antarctica. The 1967 and 1979 blizzards buried the city. Lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan can dump 12+ inches on the Chicago metro in hours. Hypothermia deaths occur every winter.
Occur across most of the state, often embedded in severe thunderstorm lines and tropical systems.
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Flash floods, river flooding, and coastal surge affect low-lying areas and river corridors.
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Ice accumulation causes prolonged power outages and road closures across the state.
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Seismic activity along fault systems creates significant ground-shaking risk.
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Extreme heat events endanger vulnerable residents and stress power infrastructure.
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Official tools
Enter your address to see your flood zone designation and insurance requirements.
Source: FEMA
Real-time earthquake activity and seismic hazard maps for your region.
Source: USGS
Your property's wildfire exposure score based on vegetation, terrain, and proximity to wildland.
Source: USFS
Real-time river levels and flood stage by county.
Source: USGS WaterWatch
Weekly drought conditions by county.
Source: US Drought Monitor
Water quality guidance for households on private wells.
Source: EPA
Insurance gaps
Standard homeowner's policies in Illinois exclude flood damage. Flood insurance through the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period — it cannot be purchased when a storm is forecast. Check your declarations page annually to confirm your coverage limits and deductibles.
Not in your standard policy
Flood damage — requires NFIP or private flood policy
Earthquake damage — requires separate endorsement
Sewer & drain backup — requires endorsement ($50–$100/yr)
Landslide / mudflow — generally excluded
Next steps
During an emergency
NC emergency contacts, alert signups, and real-time information.
Local EmergencyGet prepared
Step-by-step actions based on the hazards that apply to Illinois.
IL Checklists