Ottawa, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ottawa is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for LaSalle County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, inland flooding, and drought.
Storm events near Ottawa
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ottawa's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ottawa 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 LaSalle County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ottawa along with the rest of the county, not a Ottawa-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 21.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 88.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 82.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 69.7 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 84.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 88 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 61.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 30.3 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 61.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 71.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 85.5 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 69.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full LaSalle County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in LaSalle County:
More on LaSalle County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ottawa, IL at risk of?
Ottawa is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for LaSalle County, where Ottawa is located, are cold wave, inland flooding, and drought.
What is Ottawa's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for LaSalle County, where Ottawa is located, scoring 96.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Ottawa a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Ottawa carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for LaSalle County.
Has Ottawa had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 33 tornado, 74 hail, 45 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ottawa since 2016.