Photo: Csrbsn · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Channahon than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Channahon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #190 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1982.
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 Channahon 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 Channahon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Channahon, and Channahon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #190 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Channahon’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, Channahon has less expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Channahon: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Channahon flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Channahon, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $79K
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $76K
Channahon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grundy County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Channahon
Disasters that paid out in Channahon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Channahon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$11K to the Village of Channahon for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Channahon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$8K to the Village of Channahon for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$8K to the Village of Channahon for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Channahon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Channahon archive →Channahon and its neighbors
Channahon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Channahon 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 Channahon
Is Channahon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Channahon has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #190 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Channahon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Channahon since 1982, $301K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Channahon 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 Grundy County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Channahon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Channahon’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 Channahon?
By FEMA money that reached Channahon, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 35 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $11K to the Village of Channahon for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $79K.
Is Channahon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Channahon’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Channahon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Channahon’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.