FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Catlin than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catlin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Catlin 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
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 Catlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Catlin, and Catlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Catlin’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $857K a year in losses across Catlin: $537K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Catlin flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Catlin. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Catlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vermilion County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Catlin
Disasters that paid out in Catlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Catlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Catlin for repairs
Vermilion County has had 9 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 Catlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Catlin archive →Get ready for what Catlin 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.
- 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 Catlin
Is Catlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catlin has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Catlin 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 Vermilion County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Catlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Catlin’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 Catlin?
By FEMA money that reached Catlin, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $3K to the Village of Catlin for repairs.
Is Catlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Catlin’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Catlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Catlin’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.