On FEMA’s figures, Andalusia faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andalusia gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Andalusia faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Andalusia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Andalusia, and Andalusia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Andalusia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $408K a year in losses across Andalusia: $192K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Andalusia flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Andalusia, from FEMA’s records: 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $25K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $11K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $14K
Andalusia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Andalusia
Disasters that paid out in Andalusia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Andalusia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$70K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$33K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$41K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$24K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Andalusia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Andalusia archive →Get ready for what Andalusia faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Andalusia
Is Andalusia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andalusia has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Andalusia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Andalusia since 1979, $430K in all, or 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Andalusia in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Andalusia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Andalusia’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Andalusia?
By FEMA money that reached Andalusia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): $70K to the Village of Andalusia for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $25K.
Is Andalusia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Andalusia’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Andalusia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Andalusia’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.