Natural hazards · West Salem
West Salem, IL natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in West Salem comes from drought, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. 1 federal disaster brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsExpected damage
How exposed is West Salem?
High
vs. U.S. communitiesFEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in West Salem to be higher than in 68% of U.S. communities, mostly from drought and inland flooding.
Drought32%Inland flooding26%Earthquakes23%Strong wind6%Tornadoes5%Everything else8%
By hazard
What West Salem faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Drought
32% of expected damage
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area
Inland flooding
26% of expected damage
Above average · higher than 62% of U.S. places
Recorded about once a year in the area
Earthquakes
23% of expected damage
Well above average · higher than 86% of U.S. places
Strong wind
6% of expected damage
Well above average · higher than 96% of U.S. places
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area
Tornadoes
5% of expected damage
Above average · higher than 63% of U.S. places
Recorded about once every 13 years in the area
Lower here
HurricanesHailIce stormsWinter weatherCold wavesHeat wavesWildfireLandslidesLightning
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 West Salem flood?
FEMA's records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Salem.
Disasters that hit West Salem
1 federal disaster brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in West Salem itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the Village of West Salem.
Brought FEMA money into West SalemDeclared for Edwards County only
2004
Record/Near Record Snow
$825 to the Village of West Salem for repairs
Edwards County has had 5 natural disaster