FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in East Peoria as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Peoria gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #338 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 87 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 Peoria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Peoria 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
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 Peoria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Peoria, and East Peoria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #338 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Peoria’s residents live in 10 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 Peoria has less expected damage per building than 56% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.2M a year in losses across East Peoria: $8.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Peoria flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Peoria, from FEMA’s records: 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $82K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $20K
East Peoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Peoria
Disasters that paid out in East Peoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Peoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes153 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding96 households applied for aid$356K aid approved$520K to the City of East Peoria for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the City of East Peoria for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$19K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$40K to the City of East Peoria for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$30K to the City of East Peoria for repairs
Tazewell 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 Peoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Peoria archive →East Peoria and its neighbors
East Peoria 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creve Coeur | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Peoria | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Peoria City Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| Washington | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Peoria | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Morton | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Fondulac Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Peoria 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.
- 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 Peoria
Is East Peoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Peoria has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #338 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Peoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in East Peoria since 1979, $710K in all, or 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is East Peoria 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Peoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Peoria’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 Peoria?
By FEMA money that reached East Peoria, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 96 households applied for aid, $356K approved, and $520K to the City of East Peoria for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $82K.
Is East Peoria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and East Peoria’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Peoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Peoria’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.