FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Dorchester Township as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dorchester Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then earthquakes (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Dorchester 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
Earthquakes
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 Dorchester Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dorchester Township, and Dorchester Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dorchester Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Dorchester Township: $881K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dorchester Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dorchester Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dorchester 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: Macoupin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dorchester Township
Disasters that paid out in Dorchester Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Dorchester Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to Dorchester Township for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$9K to Dorchester Township for repairs
Macoupin 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 Dorchester Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dorchester Township archive →Dorchester Township and its neighbors
Dorchester Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dorchester Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Gillespie Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Dorchester | — | 182 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Staunton Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Dorchester 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dorchester Township
Is Dorchester Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dorchester Township has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and earthquakes (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dorchester 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 Macoupin County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Dorchester Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dorchester 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 Dorchester Township?
By FEMA money that reached Dorchester Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $12K to Dorchester Township for repairs.
Is Dorchester Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Dorchester Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dorchester Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dorchester 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.