McLean County, IL Environment & Hazard Risk

• Cold waveRelatively High$26.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 4.9 events a year
• DroughtRelatively High$2.62M/yr expected annual loss, about 3.4 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$8.76M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.3 events a year
• HailRelatively Moderate$1.92M/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively High$358K/yr expected annual loss, about 11 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Moderate$2.62M/yr expected annual loss, about 6.3 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.67M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 514 years
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$1.79M/yr expected annual loss, about 5.1 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$302K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.5 events a year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$386K/yr expected annual loss, about 47 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$1,624/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• HurricaneVery Low$22.2K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• WildfireVery Low$3,589/yr expected annual loss, about once every 31,333 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

112 of 53,811 (0.2%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

320

Insured in high-risk zones

43 (13%)

Flood claims since 1978

188

Claims paid since 1978

$1.7M

• Thunderstorm Wind317 · 1 death
• Hail204
• Tornado53
• Flash Flood43
• Heavy Snow22 · 2 deaths
• Winter Storm20 · 1 death
• High Wind18
• Drought16
• Winter Weather12 · 2 deaths
• Heat11 · 4 deaths

• Drought09/01/2012

  Mclean

  $65.5M damage

  What happened

  Thanks to beneficial rainfall of 2 to 4 inches from the remnants of Hurricane Issac, McLean County was downgraded to the Moderate Drought category (D1) on September 6th. Total damage to the corn crop was estimated at $65.5 million.

• Ice Storm12/28/2015

  Mclean

  2 deaths, $975K damage

  What happened

  Weather observers across McLean County reported ice accumulations of up to 0.25. This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 35 to 45 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines. Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches. About 50,000 people lost power for up to 4 days after the storm. Numerous businesses in Bloomington-Normal were closed due to power outages. An elderly Danvers couple died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from an improperly vented generator in their home.

• Thunderstorm Wind35 kt wind06/28/2009

  Covel, Mclean County

  1 death, 3 injured, $35K damage

  What happened

  A canopy was blown across a road in rural McLean County, causing a head-on collision between two vehicles. The incident took place near the intersection of 1100 N and 600 E. A 91 year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles died at the scene. The strong winds were caused by a thunderstorm gust front and were estimated to be around 40 to 45 mph.

• Winter Weather02/05/2010

  Mclean

  1 death, 3 injured

  What happened

  Two to three inches of snow across McLean County caused area roadways to become slick and hazardous. A 27-year old woman was killed when the vehicle she was riding in collided with another vehicle just east of Gridley. Numerous other minor traffic accidents were also reported across the county.

• Winter Weather01/20/2010

  Mclean

  12 injured

  What happened

  Numerous minor injuries were reported in McLean County due to icy conditions on January 20th. Two people were treated at local hospitals as a result of traffic accidents, while ten others were admitted due to falls.

• Flash Flood06/26/2021

  Stanford, Mclean County

  $11.8M damage

  What happened

  Numerous roads were closed due to flood waters, including Route 136 between Heyworth and McLean. Part of the I-55 shoulder collapsed near Kickapoo Creek southwest of Bloomington, prompting the closure of the interstate. A dive team from Hudson was deployed to rescue a stranded motorist on I-55 southwest of Shirley. Other vehicles were stranded by high water near mile marker 159 on I-55 near Bloomington, at exit 142 on I-74 near the Kickapoo Creek Bridge just west of Downs, and about 2 miles north of LeRoy. A homeowner was stranded by high water surrounding their property a mile north of Heyworth. Nearly 1, 600 homes and 75 businesses were damaged by the flooding, including more than 200 structures that had major damage or were destroyed.

• TornadoEF0, 0.25 mi path, 20 yd wide07/10/2026

  Saybrook, Mclean County

• Flash Flood06/17/2026

  Gillum, Mclean County

• Flash Flood06/17/2026

  Hendrix, Mclean County

• Flash Flood06/17/2026

  Laurette, Mclean County

• Flash Flood06/17/2026

  Heyworth, Mclean County

• Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind06/17/2026

  Chenoa, Mclean County

• Thunderstorm Wind65 kt wind06/17/2026

  Meadows, Mclean County

• Thunderstorm Wind61 kt wind06/17/2026

  Gridley, Mclean County

• BloomingtonServes 79,000 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• NormalServes 52,736 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Illinois State University-NormalServes 6,600 · Purchased groundwater · StateNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Le RoyServes 3,498 · Groundwater · Local government4 health violations+9 monitoring or reporting
• HeyworthServes 2,853 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• LexingtonServes 1,930 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation
• HudsonServes 1,847 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Bloomington Township Pwd West PhaseServes 1,800 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations