Photo: Illinois2011 (Tyler Warren) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Edwardsville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edwardsville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #315 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2008.
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 Edwardsville 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
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 Edwardsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edwardsville, and Edwardsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #315 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edwardsville’s residents live in 8 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, Edwardsville has less expected damage per building than 59% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Edwardsville: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edwardsville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edwardsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $16K
Edwardsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Edwardsville
Disasters that paid out in Edwardsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Edwardsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$180K to the City of Edwardsville for repairs
Madison County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Edwardsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edwardsville archive →Edwardsville and its neighbors
Edwardsville is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Carbon | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Edwardsville Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Edwardsville | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pin Oak Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| South Roxana | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Mitchell | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pontoon Beach | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Edwardsville 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.
- 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 Edwardsville
Is Edwardsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edwardsville has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #315 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edwardsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Edwardsville since 2008, $49K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Edwardsville 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Edwardsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edwardsville’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 Edwardsville?
By FEMA money that reached Edwardsville, Severe Winter Storm (2006): $180K to the City of Edwardsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Edwardsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Edwardsville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edwardsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edwardsville’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.