Galesburg, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Galesburg is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Knox County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, hail, and heat wave.
Storm events near Galesburg
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Galesburg's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Galesburg 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 Knox County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Galesburg along with the rest of the county, not a Galesburg-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 1.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 49.4 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 58.4 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 67.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 75.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 74.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 83.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 22.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 70.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 66.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 96 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 56 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Knox County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Knox County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Galesburg, IL at risk of?
Galesburg 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 Knox County, where Galesburg is located, are strong wind, hail, and heat wave.
What is Galesburg's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Knox County, where Galesburg is located, scoring 96 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Galesburg a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Galesburg carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Knox County.
Has Galesburg had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 30 tornado, 94 hail, 17 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Galesburg since 2016.