LeRoy Commercial Historic District · Photo: Esvobod2 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Empire Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Empire Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #343 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Empire 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
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 Empire Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Empire Township, and Empire Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #343 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Empire Township’s residents live in 2 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, Empire Township has less expected damage per building than 55% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Empire Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Empire Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Empire Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Empire 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: McLean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Empire Township
Disasters that paid out in Empire Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Empire Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to Empire Township for repairs
McLean County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Empire Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Empire Township archive →Empire Township and its neighbors
Empire Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Township | — | 290 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dawson Township | — | 534 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Downs Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Rutledge Township | — | 127 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 Empire 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.
- 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 Empire Township
Is Empire Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Empire Township has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #343 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Empire Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Empire Township since 2008, $15K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Empire 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 McLean County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Empire Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Empire 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 Empire Township?
By FEMA money that reached Empire Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $7K to Empire Township for repairs.
Is Empire Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Empire Township’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Empire Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Empire 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.