Photo: jrmyers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Charleston faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #552 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1996.
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 Charleston 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
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 Charleston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charleston, and Charleston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #552 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charleston’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, Charleston has more expected damage per building than 72% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Charleston: $6.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charleston flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charleston, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Charleston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coles County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charleston
Disasters that paid out in Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$154K to the City of Charleston for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$179K to the City of Charleston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Coles 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 Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charleston archive →Charleston and its neighbors
Charleston is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattoon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Charleston | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Charleston Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Hutton Township | — | 925 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 Charleston 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.
- 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 Charleston
Is Charleston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #552 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charleston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Charleston since 1996, $185K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Charleston 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 Coles County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Charleston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charleston’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 Charleston?
By FEMA money that reached Charleston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 29 households applied for aid, $65K approved, and $179K to the City of Charleston for repairs.
Is Charleston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Charleston’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charleston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charleston’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.