Natural hazards · Nelson
Nelson, IL natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Nelson comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsExpected damage
How exposed is Nelson?
Moderate
vs. U.S. communitiesFEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Nelson to be higher than in 49% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and drought.
Inland flooding54%Drought15%Tornadoes10%Strong wind8%Cold waves7%Everything else6%
By hazard
What Nelson faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
54% of expected damage
Above average · higher than 60% of U.S. places
Recorded about once a year in the area
Drought
15% of expected damage
Recorded about 12 times a year in the area
Tornadoes
10% of expected damage
Well above average · higher than 89% of U.S. places
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area
Strong wind
8% of expected damage
Well above average · higher than 96% of U.S. places
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area
Cold waves
7% of expected damage
Well below average · higher than 17% of U.S. places
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area
Lower here
HurricanesHailIce stormsWinter weatherHeat wavesWildfireEarthquakesLandslidesLightning
Not a risk here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims
Does Nelson flood?
FEMA's records show no paid flood insurance claims in Nelson.
of homes in flood zones
are insured
are insured
of all homes
are insured
are insured
No community discount. Nelson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.
Disasters that hit Nelson
Federal disasters declared here
None of the disasters declared for Lee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Nelson itself in FEMA’s records.