On FEMA’s figures, East Galena Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Galena Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 East Galena 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
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 Galena Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Galena Township, and East Galena Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Galena Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $911K a year in losses across East Galena Township: $653K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Galena Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Galena Township, from FEMA’s records: 20.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $305
East Galena 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: Jo Daviess County.The storms East Galena Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Jo Daviess County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Galena Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201111 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, declared for Jo Daviess County
- 20173 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19851 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county 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 Galena Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Galena Township archive →East Galena Township and its neighbors
East Galena Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| The Galena Territory | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Galena Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| West Galena Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Galena | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Rawlins Township | — | 595 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rice Township | — | 518 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Council Hill Township | — | 162 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 East Galena 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.
- 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 Galena Township
Is East Galena Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Galena Township has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Galena Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in East Galena Township since 1985, $293K in all, or 20.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is East Galena 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 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 Galena Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Galena 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 East Galena Township?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $305.
Is East Galena Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and East Galena Township’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Galena Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Galena 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.