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Peoria, Illinois: natural disaster risk

How exposed Peoria is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Peoria County.

Relatively Moderate overall risk
112,169people
Inland floodingtop hazard
13federal declarations, Peoria County
32tornadoes in the county since 1950
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Peoria is a city of 112,169 people in Peoria County, Illinois. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Peoria County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, cold wave and tornado, with about $84.7 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 731 storm reports in the county since 1955, including 32 tornadoes and 46 floods. About 0.4% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.

Risk figures are for Peoria County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.

$32.2 million a year in the county
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$25 million a year in the county
  • Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
  • Know how to shut off the main water valve.
$12.5 million a year in the county
  • Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.

All hazards

HazardRatingA year
Inland floodingModerate$32M
Cold waveHigh$25M
TornadoHigh$13M
Heat waveModerate$4M
Strong windHigh$3M
HailHigh$3M
EarthquakeLow$2M
DroughtModerate$1M
LightningHigh$1M
Ice stormHigh$827K
Winter weatherHigh$288K
LandslideModerate$115K

Homes in Peoria

Median home value$156,200
Peoria County median$158,500
Median year built1966
Built before 198069%
Mobile homes0.4%

Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.

Strongest tornadoes in Peoria County

1976F4
1961F3
1965F330 hurt

Common questions about Peoria

Is Peoria safe from natural disasters?

Peoria is in Peoria County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, cold wave, tornado. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.

What natural disasters happen in Peoria?

By expected yearly losses in Peoria County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Moderate), cold wave (High), tornado (High). Peoria County has been part of 13 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.

Does Peoria get tornadoes?

Yes. NOAA records list 32 tornadoes in Peoria County since 1950; the strongest was an F4 tornado on June 29, 1976. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.

Do I need flood insurance in Peoria?

Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Peoria County, about 0.4% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.