Henry N. Frentess Farmstead · Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, East Dubuque faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Dubuque gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 249 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 stands out about East Dubuque’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Dubuque 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
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 East Dubuque’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Dubuque, and East Dubuque’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Dubuque’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $736K a year in losses across East Dubuque: $438K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Dubuque flood? Yes: 249 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Dubuque, from FEMA’s records: 326.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding26 claims · $282K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $41K
East Dubuque isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jo Daviess County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Dubuque
Disasters that paid out in East Dubuque itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Dubuque), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of East Dubuque for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$51K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the City of East Dubuque for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$342K to the City of East Dubuque for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flash Flooding$55K to the City of East Dubuque for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Jo Daviess County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Dubuque after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Dubuque archive →East Dubuque and its neighbors
East Dubuque is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dunleith Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Dubuque | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
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 East Dubuque 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.
- 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 East Dubuque
Is East Dubuque at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Dubuque has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (16%). 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.
Does East Dubuque flood?
Flood insurance has paid 249 claims in East Dubuque since 1978, $2.7M in all, or 326.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (26).
Is East Dubuque 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 Jo Daviess County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Dubuque?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Dubuque’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 East Dubuque?
By FEMA money that reached East Dubuque, Flooding (2001): $342K to the City of East Dubuque for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 26 paid, $282K.
Is East Dubuque at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and East Dubuque’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Dubuque.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Dubuque’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.