Photo: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bloomington Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomington Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #388 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1981.
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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomington Township, and Bloomington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #388 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bloomington Township’s residents live in 9 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, Bloomington Township has more expected damage per building than 50% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bloomington Township: $925K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomington Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomington Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bloomington 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: McLean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bloomington Township
Disasters that paid out in Bloomington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bloomington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to Bloomington Township for repairs
McLean County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bloomington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomington Township archive →Bloomington Township and its neighbors
Bloomington Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Bloomington City Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Dale Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bloomington Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Old Town Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Randolph Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Downs Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington Township
Is Bloomington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomington Township has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #388 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bloomington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bloomington Township since 1981, $24K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bloomington 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 McLean County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomington 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 Bloomington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomington Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $9K to Bloomington Township for repairs.
Is Bloomington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Bloomington Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomington 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.