Fayette County, IL Environment & Hazard Risk

• EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.98M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 181 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$624K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.7 events a year
• LandslideRelatively Low$7,591/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• Heat waveRelatively Low$920K/yr expected annual loss, about 9.9 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$1.57M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.8 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$675K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.1 events a year
• HailRelatively Low$325K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.6 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$1.35M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• Ice stormRelatively Low$61.8K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• HurricaneVery Low$34.94K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 39 years
• LightningRelatively Low$166K/yr expected annual loss, about 49 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$43.94K/yr expected annual loss, about 7.8 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$5,267/yr expected annual loss, about once every 15,632 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

2 of 10,152 (0.0%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

0

Flood claims since 1978

3

Claims paid since 1978

$4,323

• Thunderstorm Wind109
• Hail52
• Winter Storm30
• Excessive Heat25
• Heat24
• Flash Flood23
• Tornado21
• Heavy Snow12
• Flood5
• Winter Weather4

• Hail2" hail05/01/2002

  Farina, Fayette County

  $1.5M damage

  What happened

  Hail up to 2 inches in diameter was reported in St. Peter and Farina by the Illinois State Police and County Sheriff. Damage was widespread, as roofs took a beating, skylights were broken, windows were broken, screens were torn, siding was damaged, and vehicles dented. A local automobile dealership had at least 200 vehicles damaged

• Flash Flood07/21/2025

  Lutz Spur, Fayette County

  $600K damage

  What happened

  Multiple towns and municipalities in northern Fayette County were affected by flash flooding according to emergency management, broadcast media, law enforcement/fire, and members of the public. In Wrights Corner, multiple roads had at least several inches of water covering them, with the intersection of N 2800 and County Road 2 having 3 to 6 feet of water on it. In Ramsey, rain rates of greater than 3 inches per hour caused 3 to 5 inches of water over the road at 8th Street and Fayette Street. The Ramsey Blacktop outside of town was also impassable due to water over the road. Near St. Elmo, a car was stalled in knee-deep water and the fire department was called to rescue the stranded individual. In Avena, US-40 was impassable due to flooding, and a vehicle and fire truck became stuck in around 2 feet of water. In Brownstown, a family's car became stuck in flood water, but they were able to walk out on their own. Near Shafter, a vehicle became stuck in flood water at County Road 2200 and N 200. E 1500 was flooded out in Saint James. Near Vandalia, a vehicle rolled over in 4 feet of flood water on I-70. Overall, this area received up to 13.5 inches of rain with 7.39 inches...

• TornadoEF1, 13.39 mi path, 400 yd wide03/15/2025

  Hagarstown, Fayette County

  $110K damage

• TornadoEF2, 4.33 mi path, 150 yd wide05/01/2025

  Shobonier, Fayette County

  $50K damage

  What happened

  Shortly before 7pm, the tornado formed just south of County Road 750 in Fayette County, southeast of Shobonier, damaging trees and structures at a farm. The tornado tracked northeastward through fields and pockets of trees before impacting farms along County Rd 1100. Shortly after this point, the tornado reached its maximum surveyed strength, where it leveled an outbuilding near the intersection of County Rd 1100 and E 900 Ave. The tornado continued northeastward, producing mainly tree damage and minor structural damage before dissipating shortly after crossing County Rd 1300 north of Augsburg. The tornado was rated EF-2 with a path length of 4.33 miles and a maximum path width of 150 yards.

• TornadoEF2, 0.08 mi path, 50 yd wide02/28/2011

  St Elmo, Fayette County

  What happened

  A tornado briefly touched down near the Fayette and Effingham county line approximately two tenths of a mile south of County Road 1800N. Two large farm buildings were destroyed and debris was thrown 1 mile to the east into Effingham County. Other farm buildings also sustained damage. There were four spots on the property with evidence that heavy debris, including a cinderblock, was thrown a substantial distance to the northwest. Several 2x4s were driven several feet into the ground. The tornado did not go into Effingham county. The maximum damage was rated EF2 with a maximum wind speed around 115 mph. The total length of this tornado was a tenth of a mile with a maximum width of 50 yards.

• TornadoF2, 10 mi path, 150 yd wide06/02/1999

  Brownstown, Fayette County

  What happened

  A tornado produced a 10 mile intermittent damage path across Fayette County in the St. Elmo area. The tornado first formed southeast of Brownstown damaging 2 large machine sheds. The tornado crossed Route 170 knocking over a tractor-trailer. About 2 miles southwest of St. Elmo it destroyed several green houses. About 1 mile southwest of St. Elmo a large warehouse was destroyed. Several large steel beams supporting the warehouse were severely twisted. Also in this area, a 300 feet radio tower was destroyed, a mobile home and 3 homes were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved northeast of St. Elmo damaging a few outbuildings and downing trees.

• Excessive Heat07/27/2026

  Fayette

• Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind07/26/2026

  Loogootee, Fayette County

• Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind07/03/2026

  St Paul, Fayette County

• Excessive Heat07/01/2026

  Fayette

• Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind06/21/2026

  Augsburg, Fayette County

• Flash Flood06/21/2026

  Bluff City, Fayette County

  $10K damage

• Flash Flood06/21/2026

  Bingham, Fayette County

  $1,000 damage

• Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind06/21/2026

  St Paul, Fayette County

  $10K damage

• Hurricane Ike (2008)09/01/2008 · Landfall: TX · 935 mbTropical storm58 mph nearby
• Unnamed storm (1932)08/27/1932 · Landfall: FL, AL · 979 mbTropical storm40 mph nearby
• Unnamed storm (1902)06/21/1902 · Landfall: TXTropical storm40 mph nearby

• VandaliaServes 7,616 · Surface water · Local government1 health violation+4 monitoring or reporting
• Fayette Water CompanyServes 5,608 · Purchased surface water · Private5 health violations+6 monitoring or reporting
• St ElmoServes 1,272 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• RamseyServes 966 · Purchased groundwater · Local government3 health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
• BrownstownServes 740 · Purchased groundwater · Local government1 health violation+5 monitoring or reporting
• Vandalia Correctional CenterServes 700 · Purchased surface water · StateNo health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
• FarinaServes 540 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• St PeterServes 483 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting