White County, IL Environment & Hazard Risk

• EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$6.06M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 134 years
• Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$102K/yr expected annual loss, about 8.0 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$376K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.6 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$624K/yr expected annual loss, about 9.3 events a year
• LandslideRelatively Low$3,114/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$664K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.0 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$1.46M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• Ice stormRelatively Low$83.09K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• HailRelatively Low$201K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.0 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$594K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.2 events a year
• HurricaneVery Low$18.36K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 85 years
• LightningRelatively Low$108K/yr expected annual loss, about 52 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$699/yr expected annual loss, about once every 11,717 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

56 of 7,232 (0.8%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

509

Insured in high-risk zones

47 (9%)

Flood claims since 1978

88

Claims paid since 1978

$1.49M

• Flood202
• Dense Fog110
• Thunderstorm Wind97
• Winter Weather81 · 1 death
• Strong Wind67
• Heat61
• Hail51
• Frost/Freeze51
• Drought28
• Winter Storm25

• TornadoEF3, 9.56 mi path, 420 yd wide03/01/2017

  Carmi Muni Arpt, White County

  1 death, 1 injured, $2M damage

  What happened

  The tornado touched down between Crossville and Carmi, quickly strengthening to EF-3 intensity before crossing Illinois Route 1. The tornado track stayed northeast of Carmi, in relatively sparsely populated farmland. In White County, 35 structures were damaged or destroyed. At least several of those were homes. Just west of Highway 1, several vehicles were rolled over and moved, and a single-wide mobile home was destroyed. Near where the tornado crossed Route 1, an older house was moved three feet off its foundation. The house did not appear to be bolted to the foundation. Most of the second floor was removed. A double-wide mobile home was destroyed in the same area near Route 1. The width of the damage path was about 300 yards along Route 1. Just south of Crossville on County Road 1675E, a vehicle was rolled about 30 yards, and a house was destroyed. Some walls of the house collapsed, and most of the roof came off. Peak winds at this location were estimated near 150 mph. The sole fatality occurred south of Crossville, where an elderly man was caught outdoors when the tornado struck. The man was found in a farm field about 40 yards from his house. His wife was inside in the...

• Flood06/20/2019

  Maunie, White County

  10 injured, $30K damage

  What happened

  The Wabash, Little Wabash, and Ohio Rivers rose back above flood stage late in the month. These river rises were in response to a series of nearly stationary fronts and outflow boundaries between the 16th and 24th. Numerous rounds of showers and storms occurred during this period. Rainfall totals during this time frame were between 3 and 6 inches. This round of river flooding was generally minor, except for moderate flooding on the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel. The minor flooding, which primarily affected low-lying woods and fields, continued into July at most locations.

• Winter Weather02/09/2011

  White

  1 death

  What happened

  A large area of snow occurred along and to the east of a well-defined surface low pressure trough. East of the surface trough, northeasterly surface winds kept cold air in place. Warmer air moving in aloft created conditions favorable for snow. As the low pressure trough moved east across the region, the snow ended in its wake. Snowfall totals were generally from 1 to 2 inches along and south of Route 13, which extends from Carbondale and Marion east across Harrisburg to the Ohio River. Specific snowfall totals included: 2.5 inches in Mound City (Pulaski County), 2 inches in Metropolis and Cairo, 1.5 inches in northwest Pope County, and 1 inch at Murphysboro. Due to very cold temperatures, roads quickly became snow-packed and very slippery. Numerous accidents were reported. In White County, a fatal vehicle crash occurred on Route 1 about two miles south of Norris City. A 17-year-old female lost control of her vehicle on a snow-covered bridge, then crossed into the lane of oncoming traffic. She was struck by a tractor-trailer rig and pronounced dead at a local hospital.

• Drought09/01/2007

  White

  $3.45M damage

  What happened

  Severe drought conditions that developed late in August persisted through September. The persistent 500 mb high over the southeast and south central U.S. started to break down at times, allowing an increase in rainfall. At Carbondale, the monthly rainfall was 2.19 inches. This rainfall was beneficial but not sufficient to improve drought conditions. Soil moisture in the top 12 inches of soil was running 20 to 50 percent below normal. This impacted the agricultural sector. Statewide across Illinois, 55 percent of pasture land was rated poor or very poor. The soybean crop sustained over 60 million dollars in losses in southern Illinois alone. Fire danger remained high for part of the month. A ban on outdoor burning was posted in Union and Hardin Counties for part of the month.

• Winter Storm02/21/2008

  White

  3 injured

  What happened

  Low pressure organized over Louisiana, spreading precipitation northeast along a warm front that extended into the Ohio Valley. Arctic high pressure over the Great Lakes region produced a cold northeast wind flow in the low levels. This low-level cold air was responsible for sleet and freezing rain. Although this was the second ice storm in only ten days, ice accumulations were less serious than the crippling ice storm on February 11. One-quarter to one-half inch of ice accumulated south and east of Marion. From the Marion/Carbondale area north and west, up to 2.5 inches of sleet fell. Freezing rain coated surfaces with less than a quarter inch of ice. Many schools and businesses were closed for this second round of ice. Relatively few traffic problems were reported, although there were still some accidents involving property damage and even a few injuries. The main effect of this winter storm was to slow down cleanup efforts following the major ice storm on Feb. 11.

• Frost/Freeze04/08/2007

  White

  $3M damage

  What happened

  This was the fourth and most extreme of several freezes on consecutive nights. Extensive damage occurred to some crops, gardens, and even trees. Record warmth in March preceded these freezes. Most growth was well ahead of schedule when the record cold struck. Low temperatures were near records for the entire month of April. Many lows were in the lower 20's. Significant damage occurred to vegetation. In particular, the apple, peach, and grape crops were virtually wiped out. Unprotected strawberry plots were wiped out. The fledgling winter wheat crop was heavily damaged in addition to some early planted corn. Blossoms on dogwood trees and other flowering trees and shrubs were lost. Foliage on trees such as oaks, maples, and Bradford pears was shrivelled and discolored. Only a few trees that were already under stress were killed.

• Strong Wind35 kt wind04/02/2026

  White

  $1,000 damage

• Dense Fog02/19/2026

  White

• Dense Fog02/16/2026

  White

• Cold/Wind Chill01/30/2026

  White

• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill01/26/2026

  White

• Heavy Snow01/24/2026

  White

• Cold/Wind Chill01/24/2026

  White

• Dense Fog11/24/2025

  White

• Unnamed storm (1915)08/05/1915 · Landfall: TX · 940 mbTropical storm40 mph nearby

• CarmiServes 6,307 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Norris CityServes 2,155 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
• GrayvilleServes 1,613 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+8 monitoring or reporting
• CrossvilleServes 1,091 · Purchased groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• EnfieldServes 1,064 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• Brownsville Water Project, INCServes 800 · Purchased groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Burnt PrairieServes 486 · Purchased groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Mill ShoalsServes 224 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting