Storms, floods and disasters in Bell Plain Township
Bell Plain Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Bell Plain Township has 207 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
What Bell Plain 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
Strong wind
Earthquakes
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.
Does Bell Plain Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bell Plain Township, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $2K
Bell Plain 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: Marshall County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bell Plain Township
Disasters that paid out in Bell Plain Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bell Plain Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$18K to Bell Plain Township for repairs
- 2006Snow$5K to Bell Plain Township for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$6K to Bell Plain Township for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to Bell Plain Township for repairs
Marshall County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bell Plain Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bell Plain Township archive →Bell Plain Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Richland Township | — | 337 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Roberts Township | — | 875 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Linn Township | — | 299 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 Bell Plain 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bell Plain Township
Does Bell Plain Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bell Plain Township since 2008, $4K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Bell Plain 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 Marshall County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bell Plain Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bell Plain 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 Bell Plain Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bell Plain Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $18K to Bell Plain Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $2K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bell Plain Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bell Plain 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.