Photo: Alan Light · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, East Moline 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 Moline gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #311 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 155 claims here since 1979.
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 Moline’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Moline 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 Moline’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Moline, and East Moline’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #311 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Moline’s residents live in 11 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, East Moline has less expected damage per building than 60% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across East Moline: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Moline flood? Yes: 155 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Moline, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding12 claims · $128K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $52K
East Moline isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock Island County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Moline
Disasters that paid out in East Moline itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Moline), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$429K to the City of East Moline for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding112 households applied for aid$267K aid approved$98K to the City of East Moline for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$53K to the City of East Moline for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding187 households applied for aid$395K aid approved$253K to the City of East Moline for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$152K to the City of East Moline for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Rock Island County has had 12 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 Moline after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Moline archive →East Moline and its neighbors
East Moline is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvis | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Moline Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 715 |
| Moline | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Moline Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| East Moline | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Hampton Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Hampton | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Campbell's Island | — | 203 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Barstow | — | 34 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 Moline 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 Moline
Is East Moline at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Moline has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #311 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Moline flood?
Flood insurance has paid 155 claims in East Moline since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (12).
Is East Moline 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 Rock Island County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Moline?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Moline’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 Moline?
By FEMA money that reached East Moline, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 187 households applied for aid, $395K approved, and $253K to the City of East Moline for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 12 paid, $128K.
Is East Moline at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and East Moline’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Moline.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Moline’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.