Storms, floods and disasters in Braceville
Braceville isn’t graded for hazard risk: Braceville has 860 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
What Braceville 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.
Does Braceville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Braceville, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $26K
Braceville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grundy County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Braceville
Disasters that paid out in Braceville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Braceville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Braceville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$1K to the Village of Braceville for repairs
Grundy County has had 12 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 Braceville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Braceville archive →Braceville and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Braceville 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 Braceville
Does Braceville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Braceville since 2013, $61K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Braceville 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 Grundy County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Braceville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Braceville’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 Braceville?
By FEMA money that reached Braceville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 2 households applied for aid, $22K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $26K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Braceville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Braceville’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.