Photo: RSchulenburg · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Belvidere faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belvidere gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #380 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Belvidere 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 Belvidere’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belvidere, and Belvidere’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #380 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belvidere’s residents live in 6 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, Belvidere has less expected damage per building than 51% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Belvidere: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belvidere flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belvidere, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $67K
Belvidere isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Boone County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belvidere
Disasters that paid out in Belvidere itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belvidere), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$42K to the City of Belvidere for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$42K to the City of Belvidere for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$24K to the City of Belvidere for repairs
Boone County has had 8 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 Belvidere after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belvidere archive →Belvidere and its neighbors
Belvidere 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Valley | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Belvidere | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
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 Belvidere 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 Belvidere
Is Belvidere at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belvidere has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #380 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belvidere flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Belvidere since 1979, $161K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Belvidere 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 Boone County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belvidere?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belvidere’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 Belvidere?
By FEMA money that reached Belvidere, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $42K to the City of Belvidere for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $67K.
Is Belvidere at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Belvidere’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belvidere.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belvidere’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.