Photo: BonkerStonker29 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Champaign’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Champaign gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #479 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 105 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 stands out about Champaign’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Champaign 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
Earthquakes
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 Champaign’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Champaign, and Champaign’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #479 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Champaign’s residents live in 23 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, Champaign has more expected damage per building than 62% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.5M a year in losses across Champaign: $20.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Champaign flood? Yes: 105 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Champaign, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding10 claims · $117K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $6K
Champaign is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Champaign County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Champaign
Disasters that paid out in Champaign itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Champaign), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$50K to the City of Champaign for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Champaign County has had 8 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 Champaign after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Champaign archive →Champaign and its neighbors
Champaign is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cunningham Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hensley Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Savoy | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Urbana Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Champaign City Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Champaign | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 105 |
| Champaign Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Somer Township | — | 892 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 Champaign 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Champaign residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Champaign
Is Champaign at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Champaign has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #479 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Champaign flood?
Flood insurance has paid 105 claims in Champaign since 1979, $695K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (10).
Is Champaign 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 Champaign County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Champaign?
Champaign is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Champaign?
By FEMA money that reached Champaign, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $50K to the City of Champaign for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 10 paid, $117K.
Is Champaign at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Champaign’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Champaign.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Champaign’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.