Photo: Bradley Furlow · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Carbondale than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carbondale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #714 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1978.
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 Carbondale faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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 Carbondale’s grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carbondale, and Carbondale’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #714 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carbondale’s residents live in 9 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, Carbondale has more expected damage per building than 93% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.2M a year in losses across Carbondale: $12.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carbondale flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carbondale, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Carbondale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carbondale
Disasters that paid out in Carbondale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carbondale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding130 households applied for aid$963K aid approved$28K to the City of Carbondale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$1.2M to the City of Carbondale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$23K to the City of Carbondale for repairs
Jackson 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 Carbondale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carbondale archive →Carbondale and its neighbors
Carbondale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Murphysboro Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Carbondale 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 Carbondale faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Carbondale
Is Carbondale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carbondale has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #714 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carbondale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Carbondale since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Carbondale 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 Jackson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carbondale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carbondale’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 Carbondale?
By FEMA money that reached Carbondale, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2009): $1.2M to the City of Carbondale for repairs.
Is Carbondale at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Carbondale’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carbondale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carbondale’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.