Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Ashkum Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashkum Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Ashkum Township 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
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 Ashkum Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashkum Township, and Ashkum Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashkum Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Ashkum Township: $971K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashkum Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ashkum Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ashkum Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iroquois County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashkum Township
Disasters that paid out in Ashkum Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ashkum Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$5K to Ashkum Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$5K to Ashkum Township for repairs
Iroquois County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ashkum Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashkum Township archive →Ashkum Township and its neighbors
Ashkum Township is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chebanse Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ashkum Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Martinton Township | — | 939 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Danforth Township | — | 846 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Milks Grove Township | — | 224 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Iroquois Township | — | 465 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Ashkum Township 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.
- 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 Ashkum Township
Is Ashkum Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashkum Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ashkum Township 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 Iroquois County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashkum Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashkum Township’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 Ashkum Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ashkum Township, Illinois Winter Snow Storms (2000): $5K to Ashkum Township for repairs.
Is Ashkum Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Ashkum Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashkum Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashkum Township’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.