FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cortland Township than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortland Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #50 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1985.
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 Cortland 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
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 Cortland Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cortland Township, and Cortland Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #50 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cortland Township’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, Cortland Township has less expected damage per building than 94% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Cortland Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cortland Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cortland Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cortland 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: DeKalb County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cortland Township
Disasters that paid out in Cortland Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cortland Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$5K to Cortland Township for repairs
DeKalb County has had 9 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 Cortland Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cortland Township archive →Cortland Township and its neighbors
Cortland Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Virgil Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sycamore Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| DeKalb Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Pierce Township | — | 554 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 Cortland 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.
- 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 Cortland Township
Is Cortland Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortland Township has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #50 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cortland Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cortland Township since 1985, $88K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cortland 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 DeKalb County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cortland Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cortland 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 Cortland Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cortland Township, Snow (2006): $5K to Cortland Township for repairs.
Is Cortland Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Cortland Township’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cortland Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cortland 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.