FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Carbon Cliff as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carbon Cliff gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 66 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 stands out about Carbon Cliff’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carbon Cliff 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
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 Carbon Cliff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carbon Cliff, and Carbon Cliff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carbon Cliff’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $530K a year in losses across Carbon Cliff: $192K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carbon Cliff flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carbon Cliff, from FEMA’s records: 75.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms20 claims · $488K
Carbon Cliff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carbon Cliff
Disasters that paid out in Carbon Cliff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Carbon Cliff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$16K to the Village of Carbon Cliff for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Village of Carbon Cliff for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Village of Carbon Cliff for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 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 Carbon Cliff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carbon Cliff archive →Carbon Cliff and its neighbors
Carbon Cliff 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvis | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Carbon Cliff | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Carbon Cliff 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.
- 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 Carbon Cliff
Is Carbon Cliff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carbon Cliff has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carbon Cliff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Carbon Cliff since 1979, $933K in all, or 75.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (20).
Is Carbon Cliff 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carbon Cliff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carbon Cliff’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 Carbon Cliff?
By FEMA money that reached Carbon Cliff, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 11 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $16K to the Village of Carbon Cliff for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 20 paid, $488K.
Is Carbon Cliff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Carbon Cliff’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carbon Cliff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carbon Cliff’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.