More hazard damage per building is expected in Carterville than in 83% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carterville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #687 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (41%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Carterville 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 Carterville’s grade
Earthquakes are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carterville, and Carterville’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #687 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carterville’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, Carterville has more expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Carterville: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carterville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carterville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Carterville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carterville
Disasters that paid out in Carterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$134K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$398K to the City of Carterville for repairs
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$4K to the City of Carterville for repairs
Williamson County has had 6 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 Carterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carterville archive →Carterville and its neighbors
Carterville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carterville | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Crainville | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | — |
| Herrin | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Cambria | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Carterville 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 Carterville
Is Carterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carterville has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #687 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (41%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carterville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Carterville since 1979, $3K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Carterville 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 Williamson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carterville’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 Carterville?
By FEMA money that reached Carterville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2009): $398K to the City of Carterville for repairs.
Is Carterville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Carterville’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carterville’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.