Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Carmi than in 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carmi gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #661 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 stands out about Carmi’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carmi 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carmi, and Carmi’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #661 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carmi’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 has more expected damage per building than 86% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Carmi: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carmi flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carmi, from FEMA’s records: 14.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms9 claims · $207K
Carmi 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
Disasters that paid out in Carmi itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carmi), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding140 households applied for aid$452K aid approved$424K to the City of Carmi for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of Carmi 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carmi archive →Get ready for what Carmi 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
Is Carmi at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carmi has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #661 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carmi flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Carmi since 1978, $348K in all, or 14.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (9).
Is Carmi 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carmi’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?
By FEMA money that reached Carmi, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 140 households applied for aid, $452K approved, and $424K to the City of Carmi for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 9 paid, $207K.
Is Carmi at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Carmi’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carmi.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carmi’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.