On FEMA’s figures, Cahokia Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cahokia Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #243 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Cahokia 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
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 Cahokia Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cahokia Township, and Cahokia Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #243 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cahokia Township’s residents live in 4 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, Cahokia Township has less expected damage per building than 68% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Cahokia Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cahokia Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cahokia Township, 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.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $307
Cahokia 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: Macoupin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cahokia Township
Disasters that paid out in Cahokia Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cahokia Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$16K to Cahokia Township for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$10K to Cahokia Township 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 Cahokia Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cahokia Township archive →Cahokia Township and its neighbors
Cahokia Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benld | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cahokia Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| South Litchfield Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Mount Olive Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gillespie Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Honey Point Township | — | 273 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| 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 Cahokia 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.
- 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 Cahokia Township
Is Cahokia Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cahokia Township has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #243 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cahokia Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cahokia Township since 1979, $53K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Cahokia 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 Macoupin County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cahokia Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cahokia 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 Cahokia Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cahokia Township, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $16K to Cahokia Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $307.
Is Cahokia Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Cahokia Township’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cahokia Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cahokia 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.