Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Beardstown than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beardstown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #760 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Beardstown 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
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 Beardstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beardstown, and Beardstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #760 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beardstown’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Beardstown has more expected damage per building than 99% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Beardstown: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beardstown flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beardstown, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $16K
Beardstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beardstown
Disasters that paid out in Beardstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beardstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Beardstown for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$32K to the City of Beardstown for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Beardstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the City of Beardstown for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$91K to the City of Beardstown for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$7K to the City of Beardstown for repairs
Cass County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Beardstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beardstown archive →Get ready for what Beardstown 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.
- 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 Beardstown
Is Beardstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beardstown has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #760 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beardstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Beardstown since 1979, $84K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Beardstown 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 Cass County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beardstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beardstown’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 Beardstown?
By FEMA money that reached Beardstown, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $91K to the City of Beardstown for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Beardstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Beardstown’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beardstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beardstown’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.