Rockford, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Rockford 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 Winnebago County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, tornado, and strong wind.
Storm events near Rockford
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Rockford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Rockford 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 Winnebago County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Rockford along with the rest of the county, not a Rockford-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 32.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 80 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 85.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.3 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 97.8 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 57.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 97.1 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 20 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 85.2 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 50.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 89.2 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 97.3 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Winnebago County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Winnebago County:
More on Winnebago County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Rockford, IL at risk of?
Rockford 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 Winnebago County, where Rockford is located, are cold wave, tornado, and strong wind.
What is Rockford's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Winnebago County, where Rockford is located, scoring 97.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Rockford a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Rockford 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 Winnebago County.
Has Rockford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 43 tornado, 113 hail, 95 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Rockford since 2016.