Wilmette, IL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Wilmette is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk — among the most at-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cook County, IL. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, cold wave, and winter weather.
Storm events near Wilmette
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Wilmette's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Wilmette 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 Cook County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Wilmette along with the rest of the county, not a Wilmette-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 55.8 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 99.9 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | 44 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 98.4 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 99.8 | Very High |
| Tornado | 100 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 100 | Very High |
| Drought | 25.7 | Very Low |
| Hail | 99.1 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 48.9 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 97.2 | Very High |
| Landslide | 56.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 98.2 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 99.6 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 100 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cook County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Cook County:
More on Cook County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Wilmette, IL at risk of?
Wilmette is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the most at-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Cook County, where Wilmette is located, are tornado, cold wave, and winter weather.
What is Wilmette's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Cook County, where Wilmette is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Wilmette a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Wilmette carries among the most at-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very High" for Cook County.
Has Wilmette had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 41 tornado, 201 hail, 224 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Wilmette since 2016.