Less hazard damage per building is expected in Benld than in 62% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benld gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (29%). 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 Benld 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
Earthquakes
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 Benld’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benld, and Benld’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Benld’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $936K a year in losses across Benld: $491K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benld flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Benld. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Benld isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macoupin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Benld
Disasters that paid out in Benld itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Benld), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$30K to the City of Benld for repairs
Macoupin 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 Benld after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benld archive →Benld and its neighbors
Benld has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benld | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Cahokia Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Gillespie Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Mount Clare | — | 292 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 Benld 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Benld
Is Benld at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benld has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (29%). 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.
Is Benld 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 Macoupin County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Benld?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benld’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 Benld?
By FEMA money that reached Benld, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $30K to the City of Benld for repairs.
Is Benld at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Benld’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benld.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benld’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.