Photo: ProfDEH at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Chillicothe faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #634 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 134 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 Chillicothe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chillicothe, and Chillicothe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #634 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chillicothe’s residents live in 2 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, Chillicothe has more expected damage per building than 83% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Chillicothe: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chillicothe flood? Yes: 134 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chillicothe, from FEMA’s records: 42.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $300K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $5K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $3K
Chillicothe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Peoria County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chillicothe
Disasters that paid out in Chillicothe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chillicothe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$17K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$31K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$9K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$6K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs
Peoria County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Chillicothe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chillicothe archive →Chillicothe and its neighbors
Chillicothe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chillicothe | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 134 |
| Rome | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 611 |
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 Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe
Is Chillicothe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chillicothe has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #634 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chillicothe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 134 claims in Chillicothe since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 42.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (8).
Is Chillicothe 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 Peoria County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Chillicothe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chillicothe’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 Chillicothe?
By FEMA money that reached Chillicothe, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 68 households applied for aid, $138K approved, and $17K to the City of Chillicothe for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 8 paid, $300K.
Is Chillicothe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Chillicothe’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chillicothe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chillicothe’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.