Charleston, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Charleston is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Coles County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, earthquake, and winter weather.
Storm events near Charleston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Charleston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Charleston itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Coles County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Charleston along with the rest of the county, not a Charleston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 9.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 74.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 87.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 70.7 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 72.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 74.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 89.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 69.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 38.9 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 44.4 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 66.6 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 44.2 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 56.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 79 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Coles County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Coles County:
More on Coles County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Charleston, IL at risk of?
Charleston is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Coles County, where Charleston is located, are drought, earthquake, and winter weather.
What is Charleston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Coles County, where Charleston is located, scoring 89.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Charleston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Charleston carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Coles County.
Has Charleston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 75 hail, 53 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Charleston since 2016.