Photo: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts East St. Louis’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East St. Louis gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #750 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 388 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 St. Louis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East St. Louis 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.
What’s behind East St. Louis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in East St. Louis, and East St. Louis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 22% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #750 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East St. Louis’ 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 St. Louis has more expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across East St. Louis: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East St. Louis flood? Yes: 388 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East St. Louis, from FEMA’s records: 36.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding32 claims · $706K
- Hurricane Ike18 claims · $71K
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $96K
East St. Louis 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East St. Louis
Disasters that paid out in East St. Louis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East St. Louis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng5,138 households applied for aid$22.3M aid approved30 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding5,320 households applied for aid$18.9M aid approved36 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of East St. Louis for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$172K to the City of East St. Louis for repairs3 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 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 archive →East St. Louis and its neighbors
East St. Louis is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| East St. Louis Township | — | not graded yet | |
| 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 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
Is East St. Louis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East St. Louis has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #750 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East St. Louis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 388 claims in East St. Louis since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 36.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 35 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (32).
Is East St. Louis 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East St. Louis’ 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?
By FEMA money that reached East St. Louis, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 5,138 households applied for aid, $22.3M approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 32 paid, $706K.
Is East St. Louis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and East St. Louis’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East St. Louis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East St. Louis’ 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.