Storms, floods and disasters in Elba Township
Elba Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Elba Township has 190 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
What Elba 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Strong wind
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 Elba Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elba Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $37K
Elba 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: Knox County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elba Township
Disasters that paid out in Elba Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Elba Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$12K to Elba Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to Elba Township for repairs
Knox County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Elba Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elba Township archive →Elba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brimfield Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Truro Township | — | 772 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Haw Creek Township | — | 370 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Salem Township | — | 667 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 Elba 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Elba Township
Does Elba Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Elba Township since 2013, $37K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Elba 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elba Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elba 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 Elba Township?
By FEMA money that reached Elba Township, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $12K to Elba Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $37K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elba Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elba 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.