Photo: Gerald Roll · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Effingham as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Effingham gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #265 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Effingham 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
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 Effingham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Effingham, and Effingham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #265 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Effingham’s residents live in 3 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, Effingham has less expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Effingham: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Effingham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Effingham, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Effingham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Effingham County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Effingham
Disasters that paid out in Effingham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Effingham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Effingham for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$19K to the City of Effingham for repairs
Effingham County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Effingham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Effingham archive →Effingham and its neighbors
Effingham has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effingham | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Douglas Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Teutopolis Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Summit Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Effingham 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.
- 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 Effingham
Is Effingham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Effingham has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #265 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Effingham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Effingham since 2019, $3K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Effingham 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 Effingham County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Effingham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Effingham’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 Effingham?
By FEMA money that reached Effingham, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $19K to the City of Effingham for repairs.
Is Effingham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Effingham’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Effingham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Effingham’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.