Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Colona Township than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colona Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #566 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then strong wind (13%). Flood insurance has paid 86 claims here since 1978.
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 Colona Township 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Colona Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colona Township, and Colona Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #566 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colona Township’s residents live in 4 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, Colona Township has more expected damage per building than 74% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Colona Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colona Township flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colona Township, from FEMA’s records: 31.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $44K
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $23K
- The March storm1 claim · $44K
Colona Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Colona Township
Disasters that paid out in Colona Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Colona Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to Colona Township for repairs
Henry County has had 13 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 Colona Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colona Township archive →Colona Township and its neighbors
Colona Township is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hanna Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Hampton Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Colona Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Coal Valley Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Edford Township | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rural Township | — | 778 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 Colona Township 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Colona Township
Is Colona Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colona Township has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #566 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and strong wind (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colona Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Colona Township since 1978, $484K in all, or 31.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
Is Colona Township 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 Henry County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colona Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colona Township’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 Colona Township?
By FEMA money that reached Colona Township, Il-winter Storm 1/1/99 (1999): $4K to Colona Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $44K.
Is Colona Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Colona Township’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colona Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colona Township’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.