Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in East St. Louis Township
East St. Louis Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to East St. Louis Township yet. Flood insurance has paid 303 claims here since 1978.
What East St. Louis 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does East St. Louis Township flood? Yes: 303 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East St. Louis Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late July Flooding32 claims · $706K
- Hurricane Ike16 claims · $63K
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $75K
East St. Louis 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: St. Clair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East St. Louis Township
Disasters that paid out in East St. Louis Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to East St. Louis Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng5,136 households applied for aid$22.3M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding5,320 households applied for aid$18.9M aid approved36 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$5K to East St. Louis Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
St. Clair County has had 16 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 St. Louis Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East St. Louis Township archive →East St. Louis Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Heights | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Belleville | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Fairmont City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Centreville Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Canteen Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Cahokia Heights | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| East St. Louis | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Washington Park | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Stites Township | — | 729 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sauget | — | 307 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 St. Louis 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 St. Louis Township
Does East St. Louis Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 303 claims in East St. Louis Township since 1978, $2.2M in all. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (32).
Is East St. Louis 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East St. Louis Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East St. Louis 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 St. Louis Township?
By FEMA money that reached East St. Louis Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 5,136 households applied for aid, $22.3M approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 32 paid, $706K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East St. Louis Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East St. Louis 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.