Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Centralia than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centralia gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #626 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims 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 Centralia 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
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 Centralia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centralia, and Centralia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #626 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centralia’s residents live in 7 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, Centralia has more expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Centralia: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centralia flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centralia, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $10K
Centralia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centralia
Disasters that paid out in Centralia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centralia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$57K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the City of Centralia for repairs
Marion County has had 5 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 Centralia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centralia archive →Centralia and its neighbors
Centralia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Centralia | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Brookside Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wamac | — | 804 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Centralia 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 Centralia 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.
- 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 Centralia
Is Centralia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centralia has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #626 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centralia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Centralia since 1979, $35K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Centralia 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 Marion County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Centralia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Centralia’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 Centralia?
By FEMA money that reached Centralia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $57K to the City of Centralia for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Centralia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Centralia’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centralia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centralia’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.