Photo: Paul Sableman from St. Louis, MO · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Du Quoin than in 83% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Du Quoin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #690 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2022.
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 Du Quoin 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 Du Quoin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Du Quoin, and Du Quoin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #690 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Du Quoin’s residents live in 3 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, Du Quoin has more expected damage per building than 90% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Du Quoin: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Du Quoin flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Du Quoin, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Du Quoin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Du Quoin
Disasters that paid out in Du Quoin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Du Quoin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$35K to the City of Du Quoin for repairs
Perry County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Du Quoin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Du Quoin archive →Du Quoin and its neighbors
Du Quoin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Du Quoin | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. Johns | — | 184 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 Du Quoin 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 Du Quoin
Is Du Quoin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Du Quoin has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #690 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Du Quoin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Du Quoin since 2022, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Du Quoin 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 Perry County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Du Quoin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Du Quoin’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 Du Quoin?
By FEMA money that reached Du Quoin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 65 households applied for aid, $70K approved, and $35K to the City of Du Quoin for repairs.
Is Du Quoin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Du Quoin’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Du Quoin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Du Quoin’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.