Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Byron faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #701 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Byron 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 Byron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byron, and Byron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #701 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Byron’s residents live in 2 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, Byron has more expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Byron: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byron flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Byron, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Byron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byron
Disasters that paid out in Byron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Byron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2006Snow$6K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$3K to the City of Byron for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ogle 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 Byron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byron archive →Get ready for what Byron 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 Byron
Is Byron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #701 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Byron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Byron since 1979, $57K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Byron 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Byron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byron’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 Byron?
By FEMA money that reached Byron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 11 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Byron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Byron’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byron’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.