Photo: Stolehome · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Canton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #281 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1985.
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 Canton 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
Hail
Earthquakes
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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #281 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canton’s residents live in 5 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, Canton has less expected damage per building than 63% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Canton: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $28K
Canton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng62 households applied for aid$245K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$168K to the City of Canton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 2006Snow$28K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$7K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$11K to the City of Canton for repairs
Fulton County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Canton and its neighbors
Canton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckheart Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Canton | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Canton 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 Canton 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #281 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Canton since 1985, $52K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Canton 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 Fulton County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 66 households applied for aid, $134K approved, and $168K to the City of Canton for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Canton’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.