Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Carmi Township faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carmi Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #664 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 Carmi 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
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 Carmi Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carmi Township, and Carmi Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #664 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carmi 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, Carmi Township has more expected damage per building than 86% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Carmi Township: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carmi Township flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carmi Township, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $170K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $72K
Carmi 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: White County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carmi Township
Disasters that paid out in Carmi Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Carmi Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Carmi Township for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$4K to Carmi Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
White County has had 7 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 Carmi Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carmi Township archive →Carmi Township and its neighbors
Carmi Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enfield Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Carmi Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Phillips Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Heralds Prairie Township | — | 530 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Burnt Prairie Township | — | 275 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hawthorne Township | — | 142 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 Carmi 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.
- 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 Carmi Township
Is Carmi Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carmi Township has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #664 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carmi Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Carmi Township since 1978, $412K in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (8).
Is Carmi 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 White County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carmi Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carmi 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 Carmi Township?
By FEMA money that reached Carmi Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $8K to Carmi Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 8 paid, $170K.
Is Carmi Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Carmi Township’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carmi Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carmi 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.